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Welcome to the Dog Days of Summer!

June 27, 2023
Q: What do you call a dog on the beach in summer?
A: A hot dog!

In most parts of the country, we are in the midst of the hottest days of the season, often times called The Dog Days of Summer.

Ever wonder, though, why these days are named after dogs? We've got a little history for you, as well as a few other fun facts about summer that will help you take your mind off the heat.

The 40 days from July 3rd to August 11th are typically referred to as the Dog Days of Summer for the Northern Hemisphere. But it really has nothing to do with our pets at all! In fact, the "Dog Days" are actually named after a star. Sirius, the Dog Star and part of the constellation Canis Major, shines most brightly during this time of the year. The ancient Greeks and Romans believed the star was responsible for the heat during this time and blamed it for periods of drought, sickness and plague.

Now we know that this time of the year is simply when we will experience the most sultry days of summer!

Want to get an idea of the temperature outside on a summer night? Count the number of cricket chirps in 15 seconds then add 37 and you’ll find the temperature of the air degrees Fahrenheit.

More ice cream is sold in July than any other time of the year. In fact, the average American eats 5 1/2 gallons of ice cream a year. How much of that do you think is in July?

The highest recorded summer temperature at the South Pole is 7°F.

The hottest air temperature ever recorded in Death Valley (California) is 134°F.
The Diary of a Wimpy Kid book titled "Dog Days" was released in August of 2012 and tells the tales of Greg's disastrous turned pretty awesome summer.

How will you enjoy your Dog Days?