The Dog Days of Summer

1.  the period between early July and early September when the hot sultry weather of summer usually occurs in the northern hemisphere

2.  a period of stagnation or inactivity

So why the Dog Days of Summer? It's not like dogs are the only animals suffering in the midsummer heat. As it turns out, the canine in question isn't a pooch at all, but a constellation and the story takes us back to ancient Greece and Rome.

According to National Geographic, "To the Greeks and Romans, the “dog days” occurred around the day when Sirius appeared to rise just before the sun, in late July. They referred to these days as the hottest time of the year.

“If you go back even as far as Homer, The Iliad, it’s referring to Sirius as Orion’s dog rising, and it describes the star as being associated with war and disaster,” said Jay B. Holberg, author of Sirius: Brightest Diamond in the Night Sky and senior research scientist at the University of Arizona Lunar & Planetary Laboratory. “All throughout Greek and Roman literature, you found these things.” Today the Dog Days of Summer tend to be associated with great deals at your local, Mom and Pop stores and fun summer activities meant to distract us from the sweltering heat. Which leads us to The Weston Dog Days of Summer Pet Photo Contest and Doggie Parade. 

 So send in your best pet pics and leash up Fido for the spectacular parade. All proceeds benefit the ASPCA.