Ken Foster's Pit Bull Party!

Best-selling author and pit bull lover Ken Foster kicks off a series of bully-themed events in New Orleans to celebrate his latest book, "Dogs I Have Met and The People They Found." Foster's handsome brindle pit bull, Brando, is featured on the cover.

Oct. 3: Join the Hot 8 Brass Band at Sound Cafe (2700 Chartres St., New Orleans; 504-947-4477) from 7-9pm to celebrate the pit bulls of New Orleans and Foster's new book. Special bully guests include Dag, the inspiration for Belladonna owner Kim Dudek's latest venture, Dag's House; Trap Jack, a former desk-duty dog from the Louisiana SPCA; Lola, special assistant to Gloria Dauphin of the Louisiana SPCA; and Animal Rescue New Orleans's director Robyn Beaulieu's beautiful blue pit bull.

Oct. 4: Foster reads from and signs copies of "Dogs I Have Met" at Octavia Books (513 Octavia St., New Orleans; 504-899-READ) at 6pm.

Oct. 6-7: Pit bulls are eligible for free vaccinations and spay/neuter services at clinics throughout New Orleans. Enjoy panels of historic images of the pit bull compliments of Animal Farm Foundation.

For more info about any of these special events, call 504-613-7370.

Julia Kamysz Lane