I hope everyone is having a nice July. Its been very warm and rainy but I still love the summer months. You’ve probably heard someone say we’re in the “dog days of summer.” But what exactly does that mean? Is it just a catchy phrase for sweltering heat—or is there more behind the expression? The “dog days of summer” refer to the hottest and most stifling stretch of the season, typically falling between early July and mid-August. It’s the time when the days feel endless, the air thick, and everything slows down—when even the dogs seem to laze in the shade, too hot to move. But the phrase isn’t just about summer vibes. It actually has its roots in ancient astronomy. The term dates back to the Greeks and Romans, who noticed that during this part of the year, the star Sirius—also known as the “Dog Star”—would rise with the sun.
Sirius is the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major, or “Greater Dog.” Ancient sky watchers believed that its appearance in the morning sky added extra heat to the sun’s power, making this period especially intense. Thus, the phrase dies caniculares, or “days of the dog,” was born.
So go out there and enjoy the weather, get out on the water, visit a beach or soak in the pool. It won't last forever.
