ENJOY!
Interesting Factoids:
Dog Days is the name for the most sultry period of summer, usually from early July to Mid-August. Today we think of panting pooches baking listlessly in the oppressive heat, labeling this hot period as days that are “not fit for a dog”. But, the ancient Greeks and Romans believed that Sirius (the Dog Star, actually ancient Greek for “scorcher”), the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major (the Big Dog), as well as being the brightest star in the night sky (it is the fifth-nearest known star), gave off heat that was received by Earth. To further add to this belief, since Sirius and the Sun rise and set very close to the same place in the sky during these hottest days, it was assumed that Sirius’ brightness and heat during the night assisted the Sun’s heat during the day in providing these sweltering conditions. This convergence was referred to as the “days of the Dog Star” by the Romans. They also thought that this time heralded other disasters, such as war, droughts, plagues, and madness. However, when this star appeared annually to the ancient Egyptians it was just before the beneficial flooding of the Nile and signaled the start of their New Year. (Source: various internet sites that may, or may not, be accurate…it’s for just for fun!)