Listen, I know the humans think they're the ones making the big decisions about buying island property. But let's be honest—we pets have opinions too. And after years of living the good life on Lake Manitou with my humans (hearing stories from my predecessors Oakley and Zeke, and learning from the legendary Siddy and Roscoe the canoeing cats), I've learned a thing or two about what makes a property truly pawsome. So, if your family is considering a move to Manitoulin Island, allow me—Zoey the Goldendoodle, professional sunrise-watcher and lake-swimming enthusiast—to offer some crucial insights your real estate agent might not mention. Because let's face it: if we're not happy, nobody's happy. 🐾
The Non-Negotiables (According to Pets Who Know)
1. Water Access Is EVERYTHING
I cannot stress this enough. Can. Not. Stress. This. Enough.A property without water access close by? That's like a house without a couch. Technically functional, but why would you do that to yourself? Now, not every pet uses water the same way—and that's important to understand when choosing your property.
My golden retriever brother Oakley didn't necessarily swim so much as he lounged in water. That golden boy would find any body of water—shallow shoreline, puddles, the lake edge—and just... lay down in it. For hours. Looking blissfully content like he'd discovered the meaning of life. He taught me that water access doesn't have to mean deep swimming—sometimes it's about having the option to sprawl in cooling shallows on a hot summer day.
My other brother Zeke was a wader. He'd walk in just enough to cool his paws—but actual swimming? Not his thing. And that's perfectly valid. He was also community-minded everyone in the neighborhood knew Zeke. That's the thing about Manitoulin—it's the kind of place where your dog becomes part of the community fabric, where neighbours know your pets by name.
Me? I'm the swimming enthusiast of the family. I don't just swim—I've mastered paddleboarding. Yes, you read that right. I stand on a paddleboard while my humans paddle around Lake Manitou. It's basically the ultimate island dog flex. My current setup on Lake Manitou? Chef's kiss. Warm water by mid-summer, calm conditions perfect for paddleboarding, endless opportunities for dramatic sunrise photoshoots, and water shallow enough for extended lounging sessions.
And then there are Siddy and Roscoe, the Canoeing Cats (orange tabby adventurers that belong to my aunt & uncle) who used to ride in the canoe on Lake Manitou like tiny feline explorers. Perched regally in the bow, surveying their kingdom, looking extremely dignified and slightly judgmental about the whole experience. They proved that even cats appreciate waterfront access, though they preferred their water experiences to be... vessel-based.
2. The Sniff-to-Space Ratio
Humans call it "lot size." We call it "how many new smells can I discover before breakfast." Oakley used to LOVE our wooded trails. That golden retriever would bound through fallen leaves like he'd invented autumn himself. Then he'd find a puddle or stream and lay down in it for twenty minutes because that's apparently what peak happiness looks like. Zeke preferred shoreline walks—he'd investigate the rocky beach for hours, wading in just enough to cool his paws. Very dignified, very focused. Me? I'm an equal-opportunity explorer. Give me forests, give me shoreline, give me fields—I'll investigate them all with equal enthusiasm. Then I'll swim. A lot. Siddy and Roscoe appreciated properties with good "survey points"—elevated spots where they could observe their domain with appropriate feline superiority. Deck railings, dock edges, canoe perches—cats need vantage points.
3. Four-Season Tail-Wagging Potential
Your humans might be thinking "seasonal cottage." We're thinking "but what about winter zoomies?" Let me tell you about winter on Manitoulin: frozen lake + golden doodle = PURE JOY. There's something about running full-speed across ice that makes everything in life make sense. Zeke discovered frozen lake walking late in his career and you could see the revelation: "I can walk on WATER now?!" Even non-swimmers appreciate this magic.
A year-round property means:
- Winter zoomies on frozen lakes (HIGHLY recommend)
- Spring mud season (controversial but Oakley was pro-mud)
- Summer swimming marathons (obviously)
- Fall trail walks (we were all down for that!)
This might seem minor to you, but hear me out. The best properties have east-facing water access for sunrise watching. Why? Because humans who wake up for sunrises are humans who take long morning walks. And humans who take long morning walks are humans who understand that life is short, and we should spend it doing things that matter. Like watching the sky turn incredible colours while sitting next to our favorite companions. One of our favourite ways to start the day!
But What If You're Not Going Waterfront?
Okay, okay. I get it. Not every family needs or wants waterfront. Some of you might be looking at village homes, rural acreage, or forest properties. And that's... fine. (I guess. Though you're missing out on paddleboarding opportunities.) For non-waterfront properties we care about:
- Good walking routes through neighbourhoods
- Nearby trails or parks for proper exploration
- Acreage for running and zoomies (SO much running)
Pet Insights on Island Property Shopping
From Oakley: "The best properties are the ones where your humans smile every single day. Choose the place that makes their shoulders relax when they pull into the driveway. Happy humans = more walks, better treats, longer sitting-outside-together sessions. Also, any property with accessible water you can lay in is automatically superior, but a good mud puddle works too."
From Zeke: "You don't have to be a swimmer to appreciate waterfront. Some of us prefer contemplative wading and shoreline walks where you can greet every neighbour and make friends along the way. Find a place where everyone knows your name—that's the Manitoulin spirit. Also, shallow water is criminally underrated."
From Siddy & Roscoe: "Never underestimate a cat's capacity for waterfront appreciation. We may not swim (intentionally), but we have strong opinions about sunrise viewing spots, survey perches, and whether your canoe meets our standards. Also, windows. Lots of windows for watching birds and outdoor scenery."
From Zoey: "The island teaches you to slow down. Pick a property that encourages morning walks instead of morning rushing—whether that's shoreline, forest trails, or village streets. Allow for 27 daily swims if you're waterfront (or extensive sniff-walks if you're not). Life's too short not to watch sunrises with your favorite humans."
The Bottom Line
You know what makes a property perfect? It's not the square footage or the granite countertops or even the waterfront footage (though that helps). It's whether it makes room for the life you want to live—with ALL members of your family. Properties that encourage morning walks—on beaches, through forests, or down quiet village streets. That give everyone space to be themselves. Where your humans slow down enough to notice that life on Manitoulin moves differently. Where morning routines matter.
Ready to find a Manitoulin property your whole family (furry members included) will love? My mom Karen, an island real estate agent would be happy to show you around—waterfront, forest, village, or rural. Sometimes I tag along for quality control purposes. Contact Karen to start your island property search.
P.S. - Bring treats. For me, not my mom. Well, maybe for both of us. We both work hard.