The start of the Dog Days according to the Old Farmer's Almanac but not according to established meaning in most European cultures

The dog days or dog days of summer are the hot, sultry days of summer. They were historically the period following the heliacal rising of the star system Sirius, which Hellenistic astrology connected with heat, drought, sudden thunderstorms, lethargy, fever, mad dogs, and bad luck. They are now taken to be the hottest, most uncomfortable part of summer in the Northern Hemisphere.

The Old Farmer's Almanac is an almanac containing weather forecasts, planting charts, astronomical data, recipes, and articles. Topics include gardening, sports, astronomy, folklore, and predictions on trends in fashion, food, home, technology, and living for the coming year. Published every September, The Old Farmer's Almanac has been published continuously since 1792, making it the oldest continuously published periodical in North America. This little book is considered “a gardener’s bible”, including gardening articles and the best days for planting crops. Published by Yankee Publishing Inc. which also publishes a Canadian edition to cover all of North America. The publication follows in the heritage of American almanacs such as Benjamin Franklin’s Poor Richard's Almanack.