This Sunday, August 16, is the feast day of St. Roch, and Take Paws Rescue is bringing the dogs back to our patio from 6 to 8 p.m. A market named for the patron saint of dogs, holding a dog adoption day on his actual feast day, in our 151st year. If you've been waiting for a sign to adopt, that's about as clear as signs get.
St. Roch, the saint this market and this neighborhood are named for, is the patron saint of dogs. The legend goes that when Roch fell gravely ill, a dog kept him alive, bringing him bread every day and licking his wounds until they healed. Five centuries later, a dog can still save a life at the market that bears his name. Or you can save theirs.
We've teamed up with Take Paws Rescue, the New Orleans foster-based nonprofit that has grown into one of the most active rescues in Louisiana, for a series of adoption days on our patio. The first one, back in June, filled the patio with wagging tails, bandanas, and more than a few people who came for oysters and left smitten. Another followed in July. Sunday is the one we've been building toward.
There will be live music out front from the Canine Crooner, the stage name of New Orleans singer-songwriter Craig Cortello, who writes songs about dogs and puts the proceeds toward animal rescue. His album Dog Tales opens with a track called "Go Adopt a Puppy." On the feast day of the patron saint of dogs, at a dog adoption event, that's the right man for the job.
Tyger, owner of Salted Pearl Oyster Bar, got this series rolling and will be shucking oysters himself. Ask him why he's so into dogs and you get the shortest answer in the building.
"Just not people," he says.
This is the last adoption day of the summer. August on a New Orleans patio is a lot to ask of a dog, so we're picking it back up once the weather cools off. Come Sunday if you want to meet these ones. It might be the most on-brand event this market has hosted in 151 years.
Every dog at these events lives with a foster family until they find a forever home, and the Take Paws crew will be on hand to walk you through the adoption process. Come scratch some ears, eat some oysters, catch some live music, and maybe leave with a new best friend. St. Roch Market, 2381 St. Claude Ave, Sunday from 6 to 8. The patio will be ready.