Hey, frendz! Your loyal scoop-sniffing JournoDog here.
Word on the doggo wire says there’s an executive order that claims to rename Lake Ontario to “Lake America.”
My sources say it’s a similar move to what happened with the big Gulf, way down south on the opposite end of where I live in the Mitten. Not all agree with that renaming, even though map-makers and government folk have adopted the change for those who live in the USA.
Naming big water bowls
Supporters of the “Lake America” executive order view the name change as a bold play for national sovereignty and vital trade leverage against Canada, pointing out that federal agencies and U.S. maps are legally obligated to follow domestic authority.
But a pack of opponents, including Canadian leaders, local officials, and indigenous nations, bark back that unilateral political moves cannot erase centuries of Wendat heritage or override a shared international border. They warn that petty geopolitical squabbles ultimately bite local tourism, cross-border shipping, and everyday household budgets.
As a hard-hitting canine correspondent, I say GRRR to this.
Here’s the dog-truth: the President can’t just unilaterally rename the whole lake anyway.
Canada holds the majority of Lake Ontario’s waters and shoreline, leaving the U.S. with less than half.
It’s simple boundary line logic. If a fence runs mostly through the neighbor dog’s yard, I might be able to sniff it or mark the territory on my side, but I don’t own the fence and I certainly can’t tear it down.
From my dog POV, this Canadian trade war and the executive order renaming the Grrat Lake is pure political dog-and-pony show pettiness.
I’ve sniffed Lake Huron and Lake Michigan (and even the so-called sixth little great lake of Lake St Clair), and I’ve reported that they are giant, unpredictable water bowls with angry waves.
One minute you’re happily sniffing sniffs on the shoreline, and the next moment an angry wave attacks to splash your paws and soak your fur.
No fun. I’m not impressed, especially when the furious waters try to take away my Ma or Dad.
Mom and Dad have dipped their hooman paws into all the Great Lakes over the years since long before I came along. I’ve interviewed them to hear stories of their travels to Lake Ontario and the big angry Falling Waters of Niagara.
But for me, Lake Ontario can call itself whatever it wants. Unless it comes with a calm shoreline and zero surprise waves, I’m keeping my fur dry on solid ground.
A note on heritage
Lake Ontario got its name hundreds of years ago from indigenous words like the Wendat Ontari’io (meaning “beautiful lake”). This was long before any politician drew lines on a map, or even before French came to the lake to pen its name in the 1600s.
Erasing that indigenous heritage for a cheap political jab is just plain bad news on every front page.
Grrrr…
Economic impact
From my beat as a Metro Detroit news hound watching the wire, this whole petty lake renaming issue is part of a bigger Canadian trade war.
And it’s all barking up the wrong tree.
It’s hitting the economy, and cross-border travel between Michigan and Canada is taking a toll.
When hooman headlines bark about tariffs and trade bans, folks stop road-tripping across the border. They stop taking fun drives with their doggos to experience smells out open windows.
That means fewer Canadians coming over to shop, hit our Great Lakes pet-friendly patio spots, or buy premium kibble and dog treats around the state. Fewer hoomans traveling means fewer treats in the pet-focused economy for good boys like me.
- Supply Chain & Costs: The pet food and care sector relies on cross-border agriculture and manufacturing inputs. Higher tariffs on ag products, meats, fish ingredients, and packaging materials drive up manufacturing costs for pet food brands.
- Price Pressures: Manufacturers and retailers pass these added input costs down to pet owners. Essential pet supplies (specialty kibble, treats, grooming products, and equip) face price hikes, squeezing household budgets.
- People Paws Traffic: With fewer cross-border shoppers visiting Michigan pet boutiques, supply stores, and veterinary services, local pet-focused retail outlets face reduced sales volume.
- Jobs, too: Hoomans are also out of jobs and losing money to buy their pets all the things they need. This is due to policies and AI and so many other factors, but the Canadian trade war doesn’t help, either. The auto industry and hospitals are hit hard by this kerfuffle, in particular.
So, extra GRRRRs from this doggo.
Whether hoomans in charge choose to call it Lake Ontario or try to stick a new name on it, the truth remains: Big water bowls are still cold, waves are still angry, & our kibble, treats, and CAR RIDE fuel are all too expensive.
That’s a wrap on this special Meet the Paws edition, frendz. Maps can change, but the truth doesn’t.
JournoDog, out.
Remember, love your pets. Support local journalism. Respect the truth. And always try to find smiles and happz for your heart every chance you get.
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