Origin Behind "Dog Days of Summer"
By Laura French

Most of us are familiar with a few constellations that were named for animals. Taurus, the bull; Cancer, the crab; Aries, the ram—these constellations are associated with signs of the Zodiac. In the northern hemisphere, we can also see Ursa Major and Ursa Minor — “Big Bear” and “Little Bear” — although water-loving Minnesotans are more likely to call them the “Big Dipper” and “Little Dipper.”

If we could get away from city lights, we’d see many more constellations, including Canis Major — “Big Dog.” Sirius is the brightest star in that constellation. The Romans who named it thought that it radiated heat, like the sun. Their proof: the weeks in July and early August when Sirius rises and sets with the sun tend to be the hottest time of the year. Those were dubbed “the dog days.”

Today, we know that summer heat is caused by the tilt of the earth. Although astronomers have discovered that Sirius is a near neighbor, just 8.6 light years away, and is 25 times brighter than the sun, though its heat does not reach the earth.

For pet owners, the dog days are a time to protect canine companions from overheating. Parked cars can be fatal. Walking on hot pavement or asphalt is dangerous because the pads of a dog’s feet are a primary cooling mechanism. Elderly and overweight dogs need special care in hot weather, as do snub-nosed breeds like pugs and Boston terriers. For more hot-weather tips, go to aspca.org.

Laura French is a freelance writer who lives in Roseville with three cats — Gracie, Tennessee Tuxedo and his pal Chumley, and Sofie, whose breed(s) will forever remain a mystery.