Monday 4 July 2011

Dog Days and Star Gazing.

Hi Everyone and hope you all had a great weekend, we joined the Feisty Three's huge party to celebrate the 4th of July weekend in America, we had a fantastic time! Happy Independence Day to all our American friends.

Well, we are into July now and we learned something this week. The start of July is the beginning of 'Dog Days', I expect you've heard the expression but did you know where it comes from?

Well, our human discovered this week that 'Dog Days' start in July and end at the beginning of September and are the hottest, sultriest days of Summer. Why are they called 'Dog Days'? Well, it seems that there is a huuuuge star in the sky called Sirius, also called the Dog Star! Well, what do you know! It is the biggest star in something called a constellation which is called Canis Major - hence 'Dog'.
The Canis Major Constellation dot to dot looks like a Dog!
The Dog Star is also the brightest star in the night sky, well that stands to reason - the brightest star should be named after the brightest animal. The Romans associated the hot and humid weather with Sirius, the Dog Star so these days became known as 'Dog Days' of summer.There is lots more info on this but our human is now getting a bit Geeky, she loves all this star stuff so we'll shut her up now.

All that matters to us is that Dog Days mean early walks before it gets too hot, lots of lying around in the shade (or in the sun in Louis's case, you might have known!), lots to drink and because of the light nights we often get an extra walk about 9 pm. Dog Days are our favourite.

We thought this photo best summed it up, Louis lying in the sun at 12 o'clock yesterday.
 
 Just a quick reminder too about our photo competition. We've got a badge thingy here which will give you the details in case you missed it, if you want to put it in any of your posts that would be fab. You have the whole of July to send one in - we've had some already which is brilliant because we can post them on Friday for you to see.

Have a lovely week everyone and hope you all had a fantastic Holiday weekend in the States.
Dex and Lou xxx


24 comments:

Leigh said...

Oh Louis - that's how I like to lie on the grass too! We're enjoying the Dog Days here as well. Love from Magic xx

Molly the Airedale said...

What an great post!
Happy 4th of July, Dex and Lou!

Love ya lots
Maggie and Mitch

buttersthelilyorkiepoo said...

Happy 4th! I didn't know that about Dog Days...thought it was because the heat made everyone lazy! Oops!

your new buddy,
butters

The Daily Pip said...

I did not know about the dog star, but of course, it is the BRIGHTEST star.

I love that last picture. That's about what I look like in the sun! Mama will get you some pictures later this week.

Your pal, Pip

Frankie Furter and Ernie said...

Louis thank you fur the warning about Dexter and the Super Glue/Board Wax pawsibility. WHEW.. that could have been a disaster!!! I had no idea that Dex could be so... Agressive!!! hehehe
I will admit that you BOTH Surf like Pros!!! It was Fun to watch you catch those waves..
ALOHA my furends!!!

Golden Woofs! SUGAR said...

Woof! Woof! Yes Dog Days of Summer. Wished we saw a dog star up in the sky this weekend ... just bright loud light. Last year my photo of Dog Days of Summer made TV. I guess this means the official start of hot summer weather. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar

Bailey Be Good! said...

Hope you have the most wonderful 4th of July. Keep safe, my friend!

Woofs & hugs,

~Bailey (Yep, I'm a girl!)

Sagira said...

Wow, that is some pretty cool info. :)

♥I am Holly♥ said...

Great information!! The Dog Star has got to be the biggest star of all!! Dog days of summer used to mean just hot weather where everyone laid back and took lots of naps in the shade when I was a kid! Have a great day! Lots of love, Debbie & Holly

Stewey said...

That is very interesting information! I'll be sure to tell my mom!
Stewey

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

I'd forgotten that these are the 'dog days of summer.' We have such a good view of the summer stars that I'm going to have to look for that bright one, and make a wish.

I hope you're having a great day!!

Anonymous said...

That was Grrrreat info there Dex! I really do preciate it too. I always like learnin somethin new.

I have to say that Louis has the right idea, I like to nap a lot too with these hot doggie days.

I am still thinkin what photo will work best...

woos, Tessa

George The Lad said...

Well I didn't know that, thanks for the info, I has been very hot here today, mom says she will take me out at 8.00 all I want to do is sleep ;)and of course catch up with my bloggie friends.
Have a good week
See Yea George xxx

Suka said...

hey Dexter and Louis,

Isn't being smart fun? My human loves the night sky too, and everything astronomical, so your post was especially pleasing to her.

It is fascinating when you find out how things originated. And as you puts brilliantly pointed out, of course the brightest star is named after us dogs! That is a no-brainer! BOL!

Louis, working on your tan? :->

Suka

Bella Roxy & Macdui said...

We always have Dog Days here....BOL! We sort of had an idea of what a dog day is; but thanks for clearing that up.

XXXOOO Daisy, kendra & Bella

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

We think it is admirable that we dogs have a special time of the year named for us, but seriously, it is just too hot here for us to enjoy it. We were wondering if they could maybe split it up so some of our Dog Days could be when we have snow:)

Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

Anonymous said...

Hey you 2 handsome guys!

Thanks for the offer of helpin me find my baby lizard. You 2 don't EVER need an invite you are ALWAYS welcome in my home!

You can fly over tomorrow but we can just talk and play and eat and nap. If we get around to looking for the lizard thats fine. I could use some strong boys to chase away the naughty racoons on our porch at night though!

Come on over!!!!

woos, Tessa

Lorenza said...

I really hope these Dog Days go super duper fast!
It is not funny all this hot weather!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

Rubie and Poots (her Mum) said...

I wonder if Louis would lie in the summer sun here in Australia??!! It is not unusual to be able to fry an eye on our pavements on some days!!

I'll rustle up a photo for the competition! That will be fun! I've only had one summer so far in my life!

Tail Wuggles, Rubie.

Scooter said...

Enjoy the dog days!! Happy 4th to you!!

wags
Jazzi and Addy

Tweedles -- that's me said...

What an awsome post!!!
I loved it so much.
Happy Freedom Day to all of you
love
tweedles

Anonymous said...

Mom was just thinking about where Dog Days of Summer came from the other day. Really! Thanks for the info! Now she can sleep ;)

Waggin at ya,
Roo

Scooter said...

Hey Dex and Lou!
Wow, that's really interesting stuff. I didn't know all that about the stars...guess I better spend some time looking up at the stars instead of snoozing! BOL cute grass-nap pix. I can't wait to start seeing all of your contest entries! This was a great idea and thanks for hosting it!
Grr and Woof,
Sarge, COP

Jon Terry said...

Hey D & L,
Thanks for sharing that interesting info, it sure was an eye opener. Louis is enjoying his sunbathing ^^
I won't be able to last in that heat. LOL

Love ya,
Jon Terry