Surviving the Dog Days of Summer

Every year, from July 3 to August 11, Earth’s Northern Hemisphere experiences what have been tagged the Dog Days of Summer. Historically, these are usually the hottest and most unbearable days of the season. Although the reference certainly describes hot, sultry days “not fit for a dog,” the term derives more from the stars than from kennels.

In fact, the phrase comes from ancient sky watchers who noticed that Sirius, the brightest star in the sky and the eye of the constellation Canis Major—also known as the Greater Dog—rose with the Sun during this period. The Romans called this interlude th...