Bring on the heat! Bring on the humidity! With state fairs and small town celebrations still in full swing, the corn is tall, and kids are getting ready for back to school. It’s also the time of year (end of July and the month of August), called the “Dog Days of Summer.” Which begs the question, where did the name come from anyway? If you love your dogs as much as we do, we’re sure you’re as curious as we are!
As with any epic origin story, it started a long time ago, in ancient Greece and Egypt. Weather watchers noticed that Sirius (the “dog star”) was the brightest star in the sky during the hottest days of summer. They also noticed that Sirius rose and set along with the sun, so they naturally believed that the star added to the sun’s heat. In short, that’s why this time of year became known as “dog days.” And since we adore our canine companions, we couldn’t think of a more fitting name!
Though the Earth is starting to tilt on its axis and sunlight is growing a little shorter each day, there’s still plenty of time to enjoy the sunshine. In fact, everywhere you look, there’s a sense of anticipation—the feeling that something special is happening, or about to happen, in the golden haze of these fleeting days. In honor of the Dog Days we love, we’ve put together a list of ideas to make the most of our waning summer days—better yet how about enjoying them with your furry best friend?
To set the stage, do you remember what life was like when we were kids? We splashed in rain puddles and stomped in the mud, without the fear (or embarrassment) of getting wet or dirty. It’s a little like our dogs see the world, too. They have the gift of knowing how to enjoy the moment. So, how do we let go and capture those times again? Here are a few ideas to consider, and to celebrate, the Dog Days of Summer:
- Drive with the top down, windows open, and let the breeze fly through your hair! There’s a reason dogs like to stick their heads out the window, so do it together. It’s fun. So what if your “do” gets messy? It looks better that way, anyway.
- Walk barefoot in the cool grass (if your area is free of fire ants, that is!) with your dog and enjoy the feeling of blades of grass between your toes. No socks, no shoes, just paws, and feeling the ground beneath us feels good.
- Better yet, lay in the cool grass and look up into the sky. Or, spread out a blanket and enjoy a snack or meal on the ground level with your canine companion. Watch the clouds move and reshape themselves. What do you see?
- If you’re happy and you know it, shout (bark!) it to the world! Let people know it’s a great day to be alive. And if you’re not into shouting, how about laughing out loud instead?
- Play frisbee with your canine friends. Or frisbee golf. It’s inexpensive, gets our bodies moving, and away from our screens. It’s fun to play with our kids and fur kids, alike.
- Stop and listen. Be aware. Sit on the porch with your pet, live in the moment and listen to the sounds of summer. The birds, the bees, the wind rustling through the trees. Though we might not like to touch them, it’s hard to disagree that the sounds of cicadas and crickets aren’t music to our ears. Or, if you’re like our canine companions, listen for the Fed Ex or UPS truck. But don’t chase them! That would just be weird.
- Chase a butterfly or moth. Or at least watch to see where they go. Or count how many you see in a minute.
- Nap in the sun with your fur kid and enjoy feeling the heat, each second, each minute, before it’s gone.
- Go jump in a lake! And do the doggie paddle. Both of you! It’s refreshing, keeps our heads above water, and makes us feel weightless.
- Live each day to it’s fullest. Move more slowly, nap and stretch often, and feel happy to have just one more day of summer. Especially when it’s a Dog Day!
