While the #DogDays are technically over, that won’t stop us from sharing this very good dog today!

The phrase “dog days” comes from this astronomical puppy Canicula, also known as Sirius. These lazy, hazy days of summer coincide with the rising of the Sirius star system alongside the sun.

Canicula, Orion’s dog, is said to be chasing Lepus, the hare, across the night sky. That makes us think that perhaps we would rename Lepus Bunnicula.

Canicula from: John Seller, Atlas Coelestis (London, 1677).

#canicula #sirius #summer #tattooTuesday #puppies #astronomy

Toby is a tiny pup, and this little book is even tinier #MiniatureMonday

Toby and the wasp.  Warren, Pa.: E.T. Hazeltine,1883.

We are total suckers for images of cute animals. Case in point, we can’t stop squealing over this glass plate negative of Bess Morris and her six-week-old puppy, Nemo, which was captured on February 24, 1887 by Marriott C. Morris. So small! So cute! #CuteAggression #MorrisMonday

Morris, Marriott Canby, 1863-1948, photographer. Bess & dog, Nemo, on back porch. Dog is about 6 weeks old. [5442 Germantown Avenue, Germantown]. February 24, 1887.  1 photograph: glass plate negative; 4 x 5 in.

These pups are getting a hunting lesson on this #WetnoseWednesday!

From the Book of Cabinet Chromos (1881), a book-shaped box full of loose chromolithographed cards that was given as a gift to every subscriber of The People’s Illustrated Fireside Magazine.

The First Lesson. from Book of cabinet chromos 1881.  Augusta, Me: Published by P.O. Vickery. 1 volume (30 prints): chromolithographs; volume 19 x 12 cm.

Fear not! These pups may seem to be eyeless, but are actually a representation of a marble sculpture of two greyhound puppies that is held at the British Museum. According to William Youatt’s “The Dog”, the ancient sculpture was found in the ruins of the villa of Antoninus, near Rome.  

The dog / by William Youatt ; edited with additions, by E.J. Lewis. New York : Leavitt and Allen, [c1846, 1857 printing] xii, 403 p. :  ill. ;  23 cm.