We all know it’s hot. But you may wonder why some old-timers remark that we are in the “dog days.”
What do stifling summer days have to do with dogs?
Well, it began many centuries ago, in the times of the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. And it wasn’t mainly about real dogs.
The ancients observed the night skies and fancifully named the heavenly bodies. The brightest star they named Sirius, part of the constellation Canis Major, or “large dog.” Sirius was believed to be linked to hot weather.
Some ancients believed the dog days extended from July 24 through Aug. 24, though others give the time period different dates.
We may hear warnings to avoid too much exertion in the heat during the dog days, and you may became “dog tired” if you ignore those warnings.
Of course, in these modern days of air conditioning, and less farm work and other physical labor outdoors, the perils of the dog days of summer may be reduced.
But they remind us nonetheless that although summer is beginning to wind down, dogs, and the rest of us, may still need to seek some shade.