The last photo I took of Ace in my home before we went to his adoption meeting to meet his forever family.
Ace, my first foster dog with Muddy Paws Rescue, has found his forever home! I only had him for 13 days, and he will always have a special place in my heart. He’s a cuddly, silly, loving guy. It’s incredible to me that in two weeks he went from being in rough shape on the streets of Kentucky to a loving home in New York City with people who adore him.
I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I’ve cried a lot – sad tears for me and happy tears for him. Many people have asked me how I can foster, knowing I will get attached and have to let them go. I’m doing this because the need in our shelters and for the many homeless animals we have all over the U.S. is so great. I’m dedicated to helping as many dogs as I can to honor my soul dog, Phineas, who was a shelter dog. I lost him nearly a year ago in January 2024. I want to help heal the hearts of these animals, and the people who adopt them, even though it may break my heart every time to say goodbye. It’s worth it to see these animals happy and loved.
In less than 2 weeks, Ace taught me so much. He showed me that our lives can change, for the better, so quickly with love and support from someone who cares. His resilience to trust and love people, even after all he’s been through in his short life, is something I aspire to embrace myself. Most of all, Ace showed me I’m ready to adopt a dog again when the right match comes along.
A part of me died when I lost Phinny, and I worried I might not be able to love another dog again. Ace helped bring that part of my back to life. I have no doubt that Phinny sent Ace to me, and that his spirit helped Ace feel at home in our home. Taking care of Ace, and getting him to his forever home, was something Phinny and I did together – me here on Earth and Angel Phinny across the rainbow bridge working his magic. And I’m sure he’s already at work lining up another foster dog for me, and a dog to adopt, too.
The short of it:
Writer. Health, education, and art advocate. Theater and film producer. Visual artist. Product geek. Proud alumnae of the University of Pennsylvania (BA) and the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia (MBA). Inspired by ancient wisdom & modern tech. Proliferator of goodness. Opener of doors. Friend to animals. Fan of creative work in all its wondrous forms. I use my business skills to create passion projects that build a better world. I’ve been called the happiest New Yorker, and I try hard to live up to that title every day.
The long of it:
My career has stretched across Capitol Hill, Broadway theatre, education, nonprofit fundraising, health and wellness, and Fortune 500 companies in retail, media, entertainment, technology, and financial services. I’ve been a product developer and product manager, theater manager, strategic consultant, marketer, voice over artist, , teacher, and fundraiser. I use my business and storytelling to support and sustain passion projects that build a better world. In every experience, I’ve used my sense of and respect for elegant design to develop meaningful products, services, programs, and events.
While building a business career, I also built a strong portfolio as a journalist, novelist, freelance writer, interviewer, presenter, and public speaker. My writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, PBS.org, Boston.com, Royal Media Partners publications, and The Motley Fool on a wide range of topics including business, technology, science, health, education, culture, and lifestyle. I have also been an invited speaker at SXSW, Teach for America, Avon headquarters, Games for Change, NYU, Columbia University, Hunter College, and the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. The first book in my young adult book series, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters, was acquired by a publisher and launched in November 2017. I’m currently working on the second book in the series.
A recovering multi-tasker, I’m equally at home in front of my Mac, on my yoga mat, walking my rescue dog, Phineas, traveling with a purpose, or practicing the high-art of people watching. I also cut up small bits of paper and put them back together as a collage artist.
My company:
I’m bringing together all of my business and creative career paths as the Founder of Double or Nothing Media:
• I craft products, programs, and projects that make a difference;
• I build the business plans that make what I craft financially sustainable;
• I tell the stories that matter about the people, places, and products that inspire me.
Follow my adventures on Twitter at https://twitter.com/christanyc and Instagram at https://instagram.com/christarosenyc.
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Christa Avampato 