“Now came the dog days—day after day of hot, still summer…” ~ Watership Down, Richard Adams
The “Dog Days” of summer are upon us—those sweltering weeks from early July to mid-August when the air seems heavy and time slows down. But what does “dog days” really mean? Contrary to popular belief, the term doesn’t come from dogs lying around in the heat or weather too rough for a pup. It’s about the stars!
The name comes from Sirius, the Dog Star—the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major (Latin for “Greater Dog”). Ancient Romans noticed that Sirius rose and set with the Sun during this part of the summer. Believing its brilliance added extra heat to the season, they called this stretch diēs caniculārēs, or “dog days.” While Sirius doesn’t affect our temperatures, Earth’s tilt causes the Sun’s rays to hit us more directly making July and August the hottest time of the year.
So, what do dog days mean for you? Hopefully, time to finish up your summer reading goals! Don’t forget to visit the library to collect your prizes. Or maybe you’re just trying to stay cool—our libraries have you covered.
Come in for air conditioning and discover books, movies, puzzles, games, and more—all free with your library card. Don’t you have one yet? It only takes a minute to sign up with ID and proof of address.
Take a break from the heat and let your imagination roam—without ever leaving your library.
“When the hot days come… they might remember that those are the dog days and leave a little water outside… like they do for the horses.” ~ The Bar Sinister, R.H. Davis