Dog Days of Summer

You know the days…the ones where it’s too hot for even dogs to play. We always figured that’s why they’re called the Dog Days of summer. And while it’s true those days are hot and long, they’re named for the time when Sirius, the brightest star in the Canis Major constellation rises alongside the sun. This year, the dates fall roughly from July 3^rd to August 11^th. 

In ancient Egypt, the Nile River flooded every year around the time that Sirius rose with the sun. This event, called Inundation, was important in providing the nutrients to the soil for plants to grow and thrive. The Dog Days were celebratory for them.

However, in ancient Greece and Rome, they thought the rise of Sirius brought drought, disease, and discomfort. In 2009, a Finnish study set out to disprove the superstition that said more people fell sick during the Dog Days. To their surprise, they proved the superstition true. The rate of infection was higher during the Dog Days.

 There’s endless lore surrounding the Dog Days of Summer, some good, some bad. No matter the origins, one thing is true: the days are hot and long. Here’s to staying cool during the Dog Days of summer!