You may have noticed that it’s been a tad on the warm side these past few weeks. Heat wave after heat wave have begun to wear us down. Records for high temperatures seem to shatter with each passing day.
They call these hot days the dog days of summer. I often wonder why this term is used.
Clearly not all dogs are fans of this excessive weather. Case in point, my black lab, Koda. Normally she is a fan of basking in the sun, playing soccer with her many balls strewn through the yard, rolling around in the grass and policing our yard for invading animals such as rabbits and squirrels.
But recently, she seems to have reached the limit of her tolerance for this unprecedented heat. Even her favorite shady spots don’t quite give her the cool respite to which she is accustomed.
When a black lab doesn’t want to play outside, you know it’s way too hot! The only thing Koda likes less than this heat is what it often brings — her nemesis, thunderstorms!
The first rumble of a summer storm sends my pup cowering beside me on the couch. I’m pretty sure most dogs have this same reaction. Interestingly enough, she seems to sense an impending storm before it happens! She is my own personal weather forecaster.
So, if dogs are not crazy about the hot and humid weather, why then is it called the dog days of summer? This paradox intrigued me so I did some research.
The term actually originated back in ancient Greece and Rome. In those days, of course, wristwatches, cellphones and fitness trackers were not readily available. Therefore, it was commonplace to use the stars as calendars.
The people of that time noticed that the hottest days of the year occurred when Sirius, the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major, rose and set near the sun. (Canis Major means big dog in Latin.)
This period spanned July 3 and Aug. 11. According to what I read, people believed that the heat from Canis plus the heat of the sun caused the extremely hot weather.
I’m sure Koda would be relieved to know that the name actually has nothing to do with actual dogs, and she can take refuge during this span of time, fraught with droughts, random thunderstorms, dangerous heat and feelings of lethargy and exhaustion.
The ancient Greeks would say that it is normal and encourage everyone to limit exposure to these extreme elements. And who are we to disregard these ancient scholars?
Do whatever you need to get through these dog days of summer. Lots of water, rest, time indoors and air conditioning wherever possible. Remember to limit your outdoor activity if you can.
A small misting bottle is also helpful. I purchased mine at the Dollar Store, and the occasional spray of cool water to the face when outside is helpful. And take heart… remember that one day in the not too distant future, when the thermometer dances around the freezing mark, we will once again long for the dog days of summer.
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
