dog days (noun)

1. During the dog days of 1347, the Black Death pandemic started spreading across Europe, causing immense devastation.

2. In the movie 'The Secret Life of Pets,' the main characters embark on an adventure during the dog days of summer.

3. Legend has it that during the dog days, the celestial hound Sirius roams the earth, guarding the hidden treasures of the realm.

4. In the horror novel 'Cujo' by Stephen King, a rabid dog terrorizes a small town during the scorching dog days of August.