DOG DAZE OF SUMMER!

The dog daze of summer~ Well here it is July, and the temperature is rising, the humidity is as thick as a fog bank! Who Came up with this saying "The dog days of summer"  All I can see dogs doing is laying around panting, looking for a drink! Oh wait, I think i am getting it!  laying around, Like at the beach! Panting, people do this at the beach, Hot guys and girls walking around, yup Lot's of tongue's hanging! and the people on the beach all wish they had a drink! Hmmmm. i think I am getting it now. OK so what do call the days of summer for those of us who don't go to the beach? and why would this person be so stingy to narrow there statement to beach goers? someone help me out here! for me it is just HOT!