I was 51 years old (and still am) when I learned that the origin of the phrase “dog days of summer” has little to do with actual dogs frolicking in the sun or lazing around in the shade. According to our friends at National Geographic, the saying refers to Sirius, the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major. In Latin, “Canis Major” means “big dog,” and for Ancient Greeks and Romans, summer’s “dog days” arrived as Sirius appeared to rise in Canis Major alongside the sun (mid-summer in the Northern Hemisphere). The combined heat of the sun and star, they believed, made for summer’s hottest days.
So if you want to sound smart while you sweat through July, say to a stranger on the street, “Canis Major, am I right?” Or maybe, “this is some ‘Sirius’ heat.” Then walk away like the academic equivalent of a Greek god.
Of course, if ever there were “dog days” to think about actual dogs, they’d arrive this summer, a special season that marks the milestone 70th anniversary of Walt Disney's Lady and the Tramp. And, like a star rising alongside the sun, that milestone aligns with the 70th anniversary of Disneyland Park.
To celebrate this happy happenstance of merging milestones, I commissioned Disney Files Magazine designer Andy Crabtree to create this issue’s custom cover illustration, placing Lady and Tramp at Walt’s original magic kingdom. In doing so, we also mark yet another magical milestone: the 20th anniversary of Andy’s and my work together on a publication we continue to be so proud to produce.
The pages ahead reflect each of these artful anniversaries, from how to “Celebrate Happy” at Disneyland Resort to Disney author and historian Marcy Carriker Smothers’ insightful look at Lady and the Tramp to an inside look at Andy’s work on the cover. And, to tie this happy hat box in the best kind of bow, we end with a special “Dog Days of Summer” edition of our Member photo spread, celebrating #ThatMagicalFeeling of making memories with canine companions.
Whatever your cause for celebration, all of us at Disney Files Magazine thank our lucky stars (shining bright in Canis Major) for your continued embrace of our work, and we wish you (and your dogs, if you have them) the happiest of summers.
Welcome home,
Ryan March
Disney Files Editor
Please note: Theme Park admission is not part of the ownership interest and is sold separately. Some options shown are Membership Extras. Eligibility requires new Members to have an ownership interest with 150 Vacation Points or more purchased directly from Disney. This is an incidental benefit subject to availability, change or termination. Fees may apply. Many Membership Extras require proof of Membership in the form of your valid digital Disney Vacation Club Membership Card and corresponding valid photo ID. Learn more online at DisneyVacationClub.com/MemExtrasPolicy.
