What’s your favorite dog friendly trail in Rochester and Finger Lakes regions?

Julie Sherwood, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
·2 min read
Tana is seen with friend Lola, a miniature horse, when the three — the two plus Punky the fox — met in Durand Eastman Park.
Tana is seen with friend Lola, a miniature horse, when the three — the two plus Punky the fox — met in Durand Eastman Park.

Wait a minute! That’s not Rosie, you say? We heard from a reader after featuring last week’s trek in Durand-Eastman Park. The column struck a chord with Tim Golan, who hiked Durand for decades, many of those years with his canine companion, Tana. Sadly, Tana died in 2012. But by all accounts — via news reports, media outlets and Golan himself, Tana was a legend in Durand and elsewhere.

This week, we decided to share a little about Tana (don’t worry, Rosie, you are still my top dog). And that got us thinking. We’d like to hear from you! What is your favorite trail hiking with your dog in the Rochester/Finger Lakes? Send us a photo of your dog, perhaps on the trail or perhaps with you (you decide). While we can’t guarantee to publish them all, we will sure try. We’d also like to visit your favorite trail for a future column.

Tana had several animal friends including a fox named Punky, who had been rescued from a fur farm in Ohio. Tana was the only dog Punky liked.
Tana had several animal friends including a fox named Punky, who had been rescued from a fur farm in Ohio. Tana was the only dog Punky liked.

As for Tana, Golan emailed that this gorgeous dog had been in the show ring in the Northeast and California before finding him. Tana had several animal friends including a fox named Punky, who had been rescued from a fur farm in Ohio. Punky was very wild though, and hid when most approached. “Tana was the only dog Punky liked,” wrote Golan. The pair were featured on Channel 13 in 2007.

Then there was coverage in the Irondequoit Post on Punky, Tana and Lola, a miniature horse, when the three met in Durand. Other media featured Tana and friends, as well, and Tana eventually landed on the cover of Golden Retriever Magazine — more than once.

Tana reads for a promotional poster campaign to support the Pittsford Library.
Tana reads for a promotional poster campaign to support the Pittsford Library.

Tana and Lola won a photo contest in "Thoroughbred Horse" magazine. Tana also dabbled in advertising, starring in a short commercial for Lollypop Farm's Barktoberfest.

Your dog doesn’t have to be as accomplished as Tana — or Rosie, of course — to appear here. Just email jsherwood@messengerpostmedia.com.

See you on the trail!

Tim Golan tamed these swans at Durand-Eastman Park. After the swans had babies, Golan wondered if they would acknowledge him and his dog, Tana. “About 5 days after the babies were born, I walked close to their nest and called to them. Mom threw the babies in the water and swam over to see me and Tana. People were watching from nearby and could not believe the trust,” he wrote.

About this feature:

This column features the trail treks of Rosie the redbone hound and her companion, reporter Julie Sherwood.

Julie and Rosie
Julie and Rosie

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Hiking with dogs: What’s your favorite trail in Rochester Finger Lakes