The summer is winding down. August's heat is thick, vacations are over, kids are going back to school. These are the familiar dog days of summer. All of us have heard this term but you might be surprised where it originated. Dog days have nothing to do with dogs. The term dates back to Roman times when it was believed that the Dog Star, Sirius, combined forces with the sun to produce exceptionally intense heat from July 3 to August 11. The Romans referred to this period as dies caniculares, or the "days of the dog."

pet safety:

Take care to guard against heat stroke. A dog rids itself of excess body heat by panting. Days that are hot and humid can impair a dog's ability to cool down. On especially hot days limit activity to early morning or evening hours. Keep fresh, cool water around and a cold shower with the garden hose is always welcome relief.

With that in mind, it seems appropriate to dedicate this time of the year to pampering the pooch. Organize a get-together of the neighborhood dogs and owners at a local park or ball field. Set up designated areas for exercising, eating, and even a pet washing station - a great way to keep everyone cool. Use our special dog shampoo formula we call "shampup." It will give your pet a shiny, soft coat. We have also included a recipe for healthy and delicious dog biscuits. They are very popular with Clare's golden retriever, Goodyear.

Cookouts can pose special dangers for your pooch. Keep corn on the cob and onions out of reach. Corn cobs can get lodged in the intestinal tract and onions can harm a dog's red blood cells. Chocolate is also bad for dogs. Please be mindful of your best friend while partying.

While you are indulging your pet you can also indulge yourself with some incredible homemade sausages. Using ground chicken, herbs, and a variety of fillings we have developed several mouth-watering recipes. How about a bleu cheese and pear dog, or a mexican dog? Have a dog show for the people and the pooches. We offer some fun recipes for your hot dog. Try the french poodle or the chinese shar-pei. Come up with some of your own - what would an italian greyhound have on it. Provide the toppings, decorate your dog and award a Best in Show! We will guide you through the process from start to finish and soon you will be making your own sausages! Nothing goes better with a hot dog than chips and we have included our recipe for rosemary potato chips.

The beverage of choice for this cookout is a selection of microbrews. Check with your local liquor store; often you can purchase individual bottles of some very unusual and tasty beers and some shops sell cases or 12-paks of assorted microbrewery beers. Throw them all in a large tub with ice and water, fire up the grill and you are ready to go.

We all know this, but it cannot be stressed enough; never leave your dog in a parked car. Even if the windows are cracked. The temperatures inside can rise to life-threatening levels in just minutes.