Dear Reader:

“Canicular” means “of/or relating to the period between early July and early September when hot weather occurs in the Northern Hemisphere.” According to the Old Farmers’ Almanac…’Dog Days’ start today…July 3! After reading the almanac’s predictions… we all need to jump under the covers and hide until they are over!

Personally…I think “canicular” came early this year. It started in early June…not July. The word “canicular” has the word “canine” hidden within it, meaning dog of course. For the ancient civilizations , like Egypt, Rome, and Greece, it was the rising of the Sirius (dog) constellation that brought on the hot, humid, difficult “dog days” of summer.

I found an old Farmer’s Almanac that made some of the ancient peoples’ strange, crazy predictions for this seasonal occurrence pale beside the real “doozies” the almanac stories came up with…See (below) for yourself!

 Dog Days…Legends Abound

“My research revealed some interesting beliefs. The period of dog days, which according to the “Old Farmers Almanac” begins July 3 and ends Aug. 11, is a time during which snakes are blind and will strike at anything. Birds do not sing as much. Because these are the days of the year when there is less rainfall, wells may go dry.

There is a chance of showers each day during dog days which prompts many farmers not to cut hay during this time. This unpredictable forecast is supported by the belief that if it rains the first day of the dog day period, then it will rain each day afterwards.

Sores and wounds are said not to heal during “dog days,” prompting individuals to delay operations and farmers to forego the castration of farm animals. If one walks barefoot through grass in the early morning while it is still wet, they might contract what is known as the “ground itch.” Insects are said to be more plentiful and aggressive during dog days. *(JUST WHAT I NEED!)

Dogs and other animals are said to be more lazy and cantankerous, and in many cases so are humans. In the business world, the “dog days of summer” have found new meaning when referring to the American stock market. Normally, the summer period is a very slow time for the stock market. In addition, poorly performing stocks with little future potential are many times referred to as “dogs.”

When generally speaking of “dog days” there may be a connotation of lying or “dogging” around or being “dog tired” or exhausted on the associated hot and humid days. Regardless of the original source of the phrase “dog days” or their colorful history and legend, they do occur each year, and we all have to endure them.”

(Source: Times-Georgian, “Dog Days Legends Abound”-Terry Taylor)

Maybe we will get lucky since June started off so badly…the ‘dog days’ will be more merciful this summer and not stay in the mid-to high nineties! That’s my prayer and hope….plus my old air-conditioning unit survives the summer!

Dogs, even little ones, love to go boat riding and cool off too during the ‘Dog Days’ of summer. Thanks Kaitlyn for providing earlier pictorial memories of Rudy, Pip, and Atticus!

So until tomorrow….Let us remember nothing on earth is permanent so the ‘dog days of summer’ will come and go. We can do this!

*This picture of Aunt Kaitlyn with little Rutledge just goes to prove how fast time passes.. dog days and little boys!

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh