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Most people think of “dog days of summer” as miserable, hot, muggy days and they’ve actually been given a timeline – July 3rd through August 11th.

I agree that those days of summer are hot, muggy days, but leave out the dogs! Some believe that dogs are lazy, and no activity in the heat. Our Great Dane, Candy, sleeps every chance she gets, is also the cleanest, funniest, most affectionate dog we’ve ever had. She has a very, loud, bark, letting us know if we have visitors – human or animals – on our property and is comforting and ready to go for a walk or ride at the “drop of a hat.”

There are questions that always seem to escape answers, like: do snakes go blind, dogs go mad, or should you swim in this kind of heat?

Historically and astronomically, there’s a period following the rising of Star System Sirius with accompanying thunderstorms, heat and lethargy. But, it is actually called “The Brightest Star in the Sky” or “The Dog Star.”

The Bible has a few positive stories, including dogs, who went hunting with kings and their crew, and helped to clean-up in the streets.

However, Proverbs 12:10 says, “A righteous man (one in right standing with God) takes good care of his animals.”

It’s best to consider the time, energy and care needed for whatever pet you decide to bring into your family.

The late Pastor Jack Hayford commented in a fun conversation at his Church On The Way in California, that, “God gave us pets for our enjoyment, lots of laughing and play time.” Pastor Jack was so real in his life and supportive to the traveling ministries, baptizing Mike and our son, Mike Jr., years ago, in water, and enjoying the music we all used as our ministry tools for salvation, all over the world.

We miss you, Pastor Jack.

A final thought: God said, “I need somebody strong enough to pull sleds, and find bombs, yet gentle enough to love babies, and lead the blind, somebody who will spend all day on the couch, resting its head and supportive always, even to lift the spirits of a broken heart. So, God made a dog.

So, don’t get all down on dogs;, remember the Dog Star.

Kathie Deasy writes about religion for Port Arthur Newsmedia. She can be reached at kathiedeasy@hotmail.com.