Street people have always been a fixture of Manhattan streets, even as the borough has become too expensive for most middle and lower-class people to be able to live in. Neighborhoods like Harlem, the East and West Villages, have become so gentrified one bedroom apartments are rented for more than $2,000.

The presence of homeless people on the streets is no longer controversial, it is an accepted fact of life. And more and more, I see people soliciting money sitting with what they call “charity dogs,” dogs that draw attention and sympathy – and money. Watching the crowds go by, I saw one person after another spot the dog and smile, or say  “awwwww” and reach into their pockets for some money. This man’s cup was full.

In general, I am reluctant to give money to street people, I know it is often used for things that do not make life better. But I gave him a dollar, I felt it was for the dog. And for the photo.