A bulldog lying on a pile of ice on the ground.

Island In Heat: The Dog Days of Summer


By Forest Riggs

 There is a great deal that can be said about the summer’s intense heat and some of the descriptions can actually contain references to a female dog. “Man, this heat is a b!^@h!†You don’t have to be outside in for very long before you feel it and maybe start using the B word yourself.

Beautiful Galveston Island is sure feeling it as we move into August and dream of (hopefully) cooler days ahead. It’s almost too hot to even go the beach, and that is a pity as the waters around the Island have been a beautiful blue and emerald shade, off and on for weeks now. The idea of a cozy fire (where allowed) or sitting on a patio with a fire pit and glass of wine is just not working for the Island right now. Don’t misunderstand, the wine always works, but a dancing fire pit? No way! Though BOIs (Born on Island) and IBCs (Islander by choice) are by far the coolest folks around, even they find it hard to be “cool†during these Dog Days.

We have all heard about the Dog Days of summer; we often find that phrase used in commercials, advertisements and even baseball lingo, at times. Hawkes often shout for us to “come on out to baseball game during these hot dog days of summer.†(With our Astros, they don’t have to beg!)

So where did all this dog talk start and why is it connected to late summer? Like everything in our world and language, one has to go back to the ancient Greeks, Romans and Egyptians. Those are the folks that started or explained just about everything in their world and ours.

…On summer nights Star of Stars,

Orion’s Dog they call it, brightest of all,

 But an evil portent, bringing heat and

Fevers to suffering humanity…

—Homer’s Iliad

Many early philosophers, writers and explorers used several terms to describe the hot, sultry days of summer. The English name Calque of Latin was dies caniculares (puppy days), while the Greeks knew Canis majoris by several names from Sirius (Scorcher), to Kuon (Dog Star). Sirius, in the constellation of Orion and being the brightest star, is easily located in the night sky of summer.

The Greeks especially believed that the Dog Star brought illnesses, crop failures, fevers and other maladies during its dance across the sky. Of course, it was hot in summer, making it a much easier time for droughts, disease and the like. Nevertheless, the Dog Days term stuck around. By the time North America came around and the Farmer’s Almanac was published, the legend and lore grew stronger and more widely used. A dry growing season was certainly preferable to a wet one.

Dog Days bright and clear

 Indicate a good year;

But when accompanied by rain,

We hope for better times in vain.

—Dunwoody, 1883

So these scorching Dog Days of summer have plagued mankind since the beginning of recorded history and with global warming, I fear the dog’s bite is only going to get worse!

Of course, on the fun side of Dog Days, there is nothing more enjoyable than taking your dog or a friend’s dog to the beaches of Galveston. Although, by law, dogs must be kept on a leash, there are some pretty “less-visited†areas of beach along the east and west ends of the Island.

Galveston’s LGBTQ community is full of pet owners and most of them own dogs, although I once saw a guy with two cats on East Beach! Everyone loves to run, throw a ball or Frisbee when on the beach, and it is even more fun when a loving, four-legged family member tags along.

Some dogs love to swim in the waves, while other prefer to remain on shore, sniffing, digging and looking for treasures — like their owners! It is fun to watch the sporting breeds such as labs, hounds, standard poodles and such run and jump the waves, paddling ‘til the water level lessens and they can again touch the sandy bottom.

Dogs at the beach are great way to meet new friends and, who knows, maybe a romantic interest. Dogs have always been known to magnets for gay folk (just ask Jack McFarland on Will & Grace).

It does not matter if your “dog†of the Dog Days is twinkling in the sky, or a real canine that twinkles in your eyes — you’ll find plenty of both on Galveston Island as summer ends. Just the words “hot and sultry†bring to mind some pretty steamy thoughts, so now just might be a good time to visit the island, hit the beach, especially at night, and find your own Dog Days treasure.

Forest Riggs, a resident of Galveston, is no stranger to the adventures of life. A former educator and business owner, he enjoys Island life and all that comes with it. He says he is a “raconteur with a Quixotic, gypsy spirit.†He has written for several newspapers and magazines as well as other writing pursuits, including a novel and collection of short stories.

Related Posts

About author

Related Posts

Comments are closed.

Do not miss