I have always wondered what the Dog Days of Summer meant. Now I have found out that there is actually a National Dog Day on August 26. For me and Piper every day should be National Dog Day.
I got to thinking about how much I love dogs and how I have rarely been without one.
Photos of my favorite dogs. Do you recognize the younger me with short hair?
I can’t remember if I’ve written a book that does not include a dog as a character. Fictitious dogs count, don’t you think? I remember asking my husband if he could recall what happened to Rascal, Armin’s dog in my novel Forever Amish. For the life of me I could not remember, so I ended up reading the whole book! I usually don’t go back and reread a novel that I’ve edited and edited and edited and finally published, so this was a first. I don’t know about other authors, but I am ready for the next adventure once I finish writing a book.
Since I made up the dog, I had the pleasure of creating his name too. Doesn’t Rascal say it all? His owner was a bit of a Rascal too.
Our dog, Piper, is a Cairn terrier. She is my daily walking companion and is devoted to me. And she’s played an important role in my last two books.
As I have mentioned before, many authors have helped me in my writing journey. One of them is bestselling author Rachel Hauck. I was delighted to see that Rachel was recently honored by her publishing house for selling 100,000 copies of her novel Once Upon a Prince.
I met Rachel at a writer’s conference where she was keynote speaker. Chatting over a leisurely lunch, I found her to be delightful, genuine, and warm. And she gave me great advice I still use today. I have been contacting her with writing and publishing questions ever since. A prolific author, Rachel Hauck is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestseller, but she has always answered my questions without making me feel dumb. And she even kindly endorsed my novel Stage Fright.
Her novel Once Upon a Prince was filmed for an original Hallmark movie!
Visit her website (www.rachelhauck.com), or find her on Instagram (@RachelHauck ) or on Facebook (www.facebook.com/rachelhauck) to learn more about her many accomplishments.
Please enter my Giveaway for a chance to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card plus a copy of my latest novel, A Lancaster Family Secret. US and Canada only. Winner will be announced Tuesday August 23 and has three days to respond to my email.
Hi Kate, you have got me thinking about the dog days of summer. My momma always talked about it and now I wished I had asked her questions about it. Now I’m going have to research it. I always enjoy reading reading your posts. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much! I’m glad you enjoyed reading it.
The last days of dog hot summer but look forward to winter and country life
I am looking forward to autumn! Leaves turning color. Cooler nights.
Dog days — we’ve had quite a few but the past couple of days have been he best temps for Richmond in August — only 78 right now. Last week this time was like 96 degrees and 98% humidity.
A drop of 20°! Sounds great.
I’ve always heard that the hot, muggy days that often occur in August are almost unbearable, even to dogs! Thanks for your giveaway.
Poor Piper I must wear her for coat every day!
I love seeing the photos of you and Piper on your walks, Kate. He is adorable.
Thanks so much. I worry that I will board people …
According to National Geographic:
“These punishingly hot summer days get their name from an ancient belief about the brightest star in the sky—not from dogs’ tendency to laze around in the heat. For many, the “dog days,” evoke those summer days that are so devastatingly hot that even dogs would lie around on the asphalt, panting.
Originally, the phrase had nothing to do with dogs, or even with the lazy days of summer. Instead, the dog days refer to Sirius, the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major, which means “big dog” in Latin and is said to represent one of Orion’s hunting dogs.
To the Greeks and Romans, the “dog days” occurred around the time Sirius appears to rise alongside the sun, in late July in the Northern Hemisphere. They believed the heat from the two stars combined is what made these days the hottest of the year, a period that could bring fever or even catastrophe. In 2021, the dog days span from July 3 to August 11.”
Here’s the article:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/150710-dog-days-summer-sirius-star-astronomy-weather-language
Thanks! You’ve done your homework.
Thank you for this wonderful post I Love reading about Piper and You on your walks Blessings to You!
All the books I’ve read of Kate Llyods are wonderful
Oh my goodness. Thank you. I entered. Manifesting!
Another great giveaway….would be great to win! Really hot today but looking forward to cooler weather soon….well …sometime soon haha
Thank you for your fun giveaways. Our weather is cooling off some in Ohio. Not as humid as it’s been. I enjoy reading your books. Thank you for this opportunity to win! Very generous of you.
Thanks for doing the giveaways. I enjoy all your books!
I love Amish fiction Looking forward to reading your books Enjoy celebrating life under the Lord’s guidance
I asked my mom when I was a little girl what it meant…dog days of summer….she thought for a few minutes and then told me…it is days when it’s so hot that you put water out for your dog and they drink it all up but lay there with there tongue hanging out and are so hot they could drink gallons and gallons.
Your giveways are so sweet and so generous. Your books are wonderful and I treasure the ones I have.
Hi Kate! Cooled off here last night for a bit here in Northern Utah but it’s still summer here. At least my area has not hit the triple digits.
I hope you have a good day!
~ Sabrina Templin
Wow! August 26th is my birthday! I must hand out treats to dogs this year!
Dog days of summer are just about never ending here in Florida. Ha ha! Thank you for this lovely giveaway. Very nice.
Romans 10:8-13; John 3:16-21
The dog days of summer in Kansas has truly kept all dogs inside it’s so hot! The other night we drove by the dog park and many were out with their doggies as it is so hot during the day. I love it when owners take care of their precious fur babies and see to their comforts too. We have had triple digits and no rain for all most all summer! Uggggggh!
Love all your books.. Seems like we have been connected forever by your books.