Summer’s Dog Days

One can only wonder how many people of the younger generation have heard of “the dog days of summer.”

When this reporter was a child, two aunts forewarned of the “terrible days.”  They refused to let their children go into ponds or creeks during these days.  They said that any scratches or sores one might have on his or her body would not heal and might get infected.  Their remedy was to avoid ponds and creeks altogether!

This folklore was passed down from generation to generation.  To this reporter’s knowledge, this story had no truth to it.  Maybe the aunts just wanted their children to work in the fields and gardens, not sneak off to the cool, cool creeks!

If one has heard the term, he knows that “dog days of summer” occur during the hottest and muggiest part of the season.  Since this part of the country has been enduring 95+ degree weather, “dog days” came to mind!

Webster dictionary defines “dog days” as the period between early July and early September when hot, sultry weather occurs in the northern hemisphere; a period of stagnation or inactivity.

Folklore about “dog days” states that it is a period of bad luck, violent storms, excessive heat, drought, lethargy and madness in animals and humans. Consider the bad news of 2023.

It seems like the term goes back to ancient times when different cultures used the stars as predictions.  They found star pictures in the sky that are now mapped as constellations.

Our European ancestors saw images of bears, (Ursa Major and Ursa Minor), twins, (Gemini), a bull, (Taurus), and many others, including dogs (Canis Major and Canis Minor).  The brightest star in Canis Major (the big dog) is Sirius, which also happens to be the brightest star in the night sky.  Look for it in the southern sky during January.

In the summer, however, the “dog star” rises and sets with the sun.  During late July, Sirius is in conjunction with the sun.  The ancients believed that the star’s heat added to the heat of the sun and created hot, sultry weather for a period of time.  From 20 days before the conjunction to 20 days after was named “dog days” after this star.

Actually, our summer heat is a direct result of the earth’s tilt at this time of year.  According to the information gathered from Pearson Education, Inc. on the Web, our constellations have changed and today “dog days” occur between July 3 and August 11.

Do you know the highest recorded summer temperature ever recorded in the United States?  It was 134 degrees Fahrenheit in Death Valley, CA.    

What we are also experiencing is the terrific humidity.  Look in the newspapers or listen to the weather channel.  The heat index is indicated, warning people to take precautions.  Any time the heat index gets above 90, it’s time to be extremely careful when outside.

Drink plenty of fluids and stay out of the heat if at all possible.  Take care of outside pets.  Provide them with plenty of shade and water. My son-in-law gave a beach walker some great advice while she was trying to walk her dog on the pavement and the dog balked. He told her, “Remember that the pavement is extremely hot to their paws and will burn them. Walk them on the sand that is a lot cooler.”  Take breaks from outside work even if it’s just for a few minutes.  Outside workers often wet a bandana and tie it around their head or neck for heat relief.

Every year we all say that it’s hotter than ever before!  Everyone is so grateful each year when the hot and muggy weather disappears that it is forgotten until it appears during the next summer season.

If one must venture out, please do outside chores early, go in during the middle part of the day, and finish outside chores after 5 p.m.  Relax!  The fall season with cooler weather is on the way, I hope!