The Old Farmers Almanac lists the traditional timing of the "Dog Days of Summer" as the 40 days beginning July 3rd and ending August 11th. These are the days of the year when the rainfall is at its lowest. It also coincides with the ancient helical (at sunrise) rising of the "Dog Star" Sirius. For the ancient Egyptians, Sirius appeared just before the season of the Nile's flooding, so they used the star as a "watchdog" for that event.
However, if you are a WatchDOG everyday is a "Dog Day". But of course, in a completely different way.
My daughter Alyssa will be a Senior in High School this fall. She has been a three sport athlete for years and I haven't missed many games. In fact I sometimes wonder if she even notices anymore since she is so used to seeing her mother and I at all of the events. Well, last week I got my answer. I knew she was playing in a basketball summer rec. league. It's an informal way for the area High School teams to stay sharp during the summer. The games are pretty loose with two 20 minutes halfs, 5 minute halftime and a continuous running clock. Alyssa casually mention that they were having their first game last Thursday night at 7pm. She knew that I would be returning from out of town that day but I told her that I would stop by to watch if I got back in time. She kind of shrugged and said "It's okay if you don't because it's really more like a scrimmage and there probably won't be anyone there watching" Well, I got back in town right at 7pm after a two hour drive. I was tired and I hadn't had dinner yet and Alyssa had given me an "out" if I wanted to take it. I have literally watched her play hundreds of basketball games(she has been playing since she was 6 yrs. old)and I knew she wouldn't hold it against me for missing a "glorified scrimmage" But I started to think about her Senior year and how the number of games I would get to watch her play were getting fewer and fewer. I got to the gym just as the game began.
In 45 minutes it was over and me and the other 25 or so people watching had a pretty good time. Alyssa played great but they were all a little rusty. However, I did notice a little more intensity on her part. She played clean but was just short of aggressive. She was much more vocal, in a positive way, with her team mates and carried herself differently. 10 minutes into the game I realized that I was watching her first game as a Senior. Alyssa and her best friend Emily were the only two Juniors last year to start varsity and now with last years class graduated, it was their job to provide the "Senior leadership".
After the game I could tell she was really happy I was there. As a parent you can just tell, right? I gave her a hug and said "great game" as usual. She hugged me back and said "thanks" as usual. But we both knew that it was a special game. Later that night at home when we were talking about the game and this fall's basketball season, I realized how happy I was that I went. It wouldn't have been the end of the world if I skipped it. In fact, I probably never would have known what I missed.
There are so many things that we can't get back if we miss them the first time guys. WE ALL NEED THAT REMINDER!!
Have a great summer. Enjoy the "Dog Days"!
Eric Snow
National Director
WATCH D.O.G.S.
WATCH D.O.G.S. is the safe schools initiative of the National Center for Fathering. It involves fathers and father figures as an unobtrusive security presence and as adult male role models in their children's school. For more infromation, visit www.fathers.com/watchdogs.
About Me
- Top Dog
- My name is Eric Snow and I have the privilege of serving as the National Director of WATCH D.O.G.S. I have created this blog so that you can share with other Top Dogs and school adminstrators about all the great things that your WatchDOG Dads have done for your school and students. Please post your successes, what you've learned, photos and even links to other pages you may have created. Our goal is to see WATCH D.O.G.S. in every school in America. Our children need us! Won't you help? To learn more, visit www.fathers.com/watchdogs
Top Dog!
6 comments:
My son is a student of Brush Creek Elem and for 2 years now he has asked me why Im not a watch dog, Being a single parent and having his father live out of State makes it hard for him to understand why he cant have his Mom be a watch dog as well. He is very sad that his Dad is absent in his life and this makes it harder for him, especially when his other famiy member has a dad involved. Why cant I be the first Mom watch Dog? and stand in for all those kids that dont have a Dad involved? 339-221-3903
How do we find out what schools in our area have Watch DOGS programs?
Last year was my first year to do the WatchD.O.G.S program at my son's school. he attends a locla school in Benton Ar.and his face justlights up when i get to take him to school for the day and he gets to do morning announcements with me. My son is going on 7 years old and goes to a school where he is in a special needs class which he has a wonderful teacher and teaching staff.I enjoy going to his school on my day off work (tues and wed) i got to go on Wed (last year).this year will be the same as soon as we have the pizza party on the 22nd of this month at his school the other Watch D.O.G.S will be there and so will the sign up sheet and i'll do it all over again.It's well worth getting climbed on by the other children at recess and sit with them in classroom and have them read to you or you sit and assist the teachers in what they need.Also patrol the hallways and parking lots for their Safety ( which i'm used to doing this anyway as i work in the state prison system) i do alot of walking and patrols.I personally am looking forward to participating at the school again and just to see those children's faces liht up when they see me at the school and out on the streets is just Priceless and that's what makes it so special to me.
i just found this site this morning (Sat, Jan 9, 2010) and i'm motivated to start or join a watch D.O.G. program at my kids' schools. I have 3 daughers ages 9, 11 & 12. I am out of work and this is a perfect time for me to become more involved with my kids' lives. i used to work in the oilfield and it took a lot of my time away from my family. I would really like to be a part of my daughters' day in a greater capacity than just dropping them off and picking them up from school.
I have to go for now. Breakfast is calling and I'm the cook. But I wanted to make a comment to hopefully encourage other dads to take advantage of the time if you are out of work.
C.A. Falcon, Kingsville, Texas
I volunteered last year 2009 and it was very honorable to be able to be a WATCH D.O.G.S. I anticipate 2010 to be the same. I feel drawn towards the student whom do not have a father figure in their life and be able to, if only momentarily, be that figure and I often get questions that are needed answered by a male role model and it pleases me to be able to give them advice. On top of it all is the pride my daughters have when they see me in there school and being able to spend that quality time with them as well.
Sincerely
-JD
http://upcomminggamedownload.blogspot.com/2014/03/watch-dogs-demo-edition.html . Watch dogs demo setup here . I downloaded for my pc :)
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