Some Thoughts About the Dog Days of Summer

Are you hot? (not Paris Hilton hot–just hot). The “dog days” of Summer arrived officially on July 3rd. They stick around until Fri, Aug 11, 2023.

Why Are These Called “Dog Days?”

If it’s Summer where you are, you know that the heat and humidity are doing their best to sap your energy. Find a cool place (or grab a fan) and learn more about the Dog Days. Also, check out tips to beat the heat Without Air Conditioning.

The ancients knew about the dog days, too. Back then, everyone from astronomers to the average citizen looked to the stars more often than we do now. They drew pictures in the sky by connecting the stars. They imagined images such as bears, bulls, crabs, and even some dogs. The “Dog Days” was the period 20 days before to 20 days after the conjunction of the sun and Sirus “the dog star” (Canis Major and Canis Minor).

The brightest star in Canis Major is Sirus, which means “the big dog.”

In the summer, Sirus rises and sets with the sun. During late July, our ancestors believed that since Sirus was so bright, the heat added to the heat of the sun. They believed it created the hot weather we call “dog days,” The heat of these summer days is not due to the brightness of Sirus however, It’s due to the tilt of the Earth.

Swim Carefully!

It might sound counter-intuitive to say that swimming is a bad idea during the dog days of Summer. However, warmer water brings high bacteria counts that contaminate water. So if you’re at the lake or pond, be careful. Pets can get sick from bacteria in the water as well. The sun reflects even more on water. So be sure to use a good sunblock (advicesisters.com has many many stories with good suggestions and information).

Be Kind To Your Pets:

If you ever watched dogs and cats in August, you can see that they are just as uncomfortable as we are. So be sure to keep the fur babies hydrated and out of the sun or heat for long periods of time. Read How to Enjoy a Fun and Safe Summer with Your Pet