In Greek mythology, Maera was the hound of Erigone, daughter of Attic Icarius. After shepherds murdered Icarius, Maera led Erigone to the body; both died of grief — Erigone by hanging, Maera by leaping from a cliff. Dionysus's plague on Athens ended with rites for the family; Maera was catasterized as Procyon (Canicula). Distinct from other figures named Maera.
Adapted from Wikipedia, "Maera (hound)" · CC BY-SA 4.0
I.Discovery and catasterism
Icarius, taught wine-making by Dionysus, was killed by shepherds who mistook drunkenness for poison. Erigone set out with Maera to find him; the dog tracked the grave. Overwhelmed, Erigone hanged herself and Maera leapt to her death. Dionysus punished Athens until honorific rites for Icarius and Erigone were established.
In the stellar sequel, Icarius becomes Boötes, Erigone Virgo, and Maera the bright star Procyon — sometimes linked with the Dog Star complex as Canicula. The atlas kinds tag is hound; the creature node is maera-dog.
II.Homonyms
Other mythic Maeras (a daughter of Proetus, a follower of Artemis, etc.) are unrelated. This node is only the Attic hound of the Icarius–Erigone tale.