It’s July, it’s hot and sitting here in my air conditioned office, I’m watching my dog Sam sleep on the couch. He knows it’s too hot to do anything else. He knows, that for awhile, he’s better off just sleeping until things cool down. Sometimes that is the best plan.
These are indeed ‘the dog days of summer’ – one of those oft used phrases that people spout without really thinking about what it means or how the phrase came to be and if there is any literal connection with its proverbial one. Turns out there is – ancient Romans named this time of year ‘the dog days’. They named it so because Canis Major (big dog) Sirius, aka dog star, rises and sets with the sun during late July and believed it created heat adding to that of the sun’s - giving us 40 or so days of hot and steamy weather.
And so it bears repeating some good sense summer pet tips. Firstly, secondly and thirdly, water! Make sure your pet has water. I’ve noticed that my dog’s bowl is emptier sooner and also evaporates more quickly, so I keep two bowls around the house instead of just one. Also, I keep a couple water bottles in my car so that if something should happen while I’m driving around with him, I have enough for both of us. On that note, don’t leave them in the car NO MATTER WHAT. Even a few minutes is too long.
Travelling with your pets is getting easier these days, too – so many places accept pets, and there are plenty of dog day cares, summer camps, and pet resorts, so make use of them. Also, more and more places let you bring your pets inside, like the home improvement stores, and pet stores, as well as pet-friendly busineses.
Finally, just like everything, use common sense. If it’s too hot for you, maybe you should follow your dog’s lead and just lay down on the couch and take a nap – sometimes that’s all you can do!
Although summer heat has nothing to do with Sirius and all to do with the tilt of the earth toward the sun, I always like to know how things get their name. Now you know, too!
