Dog Days of Summer Don’t have to be…
Dog Days of Summer?
Who says the dog days have to be dull?
According to The Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the term “dog days” refers to “the period between early July and early September when the hot sultry weather of summer usually occurs in the northern hemisphere” or “a period of stagnation or inactivity.” Well, neither Merriam nor Webster must have owned a dog because summertime offers countless opportunities for pet lovers who are looking to sniff out some fun in the sun.
Ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans noticed that the summer heat was at its most sweltering when the rising of the Sirius star coincided with that of the Sun. These civilizations blamed Sirius for the extreme temperatures during this five-week period, and some inhabitants offered sacrifices to appease the star. As the brightest star in the Canis Major (Large Dog) constellation, Sirius became known as the Dog Star — hence the term “dog days.”
The Old Farmer’s Almanac lists the timing of the Dog Days as the period beginning July 3 and ending August 11. This is prime time for people and their pets to catch some rays (and Frisbees), with activities such as:
- Water sports – Along with fresh-cut grass and a fired-up grill, a happy, wet dog is one of the most joyful smells of summer. Let your pet cool off and get some exercise with these water sports for dogs.
- Dog diving – If your pet enjoys running, jumping, swimming and fetching, then he’ll love dog diving. If not, are you sure he’s not a cat?
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