SunSage Sporting Dogs

I love sporting dogs. I have always had the opinion that if you are going to have a canine it needs to have a purpose, so I have always had dogs from one of the sporting breeds. My wife Gretchen was pressuring me for a lap dog because my hyper active Brittany and big black Lab were simply not fitting the bill for a lap dog companion.

We are members of the Orvis Shooting Grounds at Pursell Farms near Birmingham Alabama so last fall we attended their annual sporting fair where vendors of all varieties come from dog trainers to clothiers and gun makers. That is where we met Tyla and her English Field Cockers. My wife immediately fell in love with these sweet dogs and Tyla assured us that they make great “Hearth to the Field” companions.

My wife and I went home from the event and we discussed adding a third dog to the pack and I was on board with the idea, because like I said I love sporting dogs. After the holidays I gave Tyla a call to discuss the possibility of getting one of her dogs. I found out that they were located at an Orvis endorsed hunting lodge in Union Point Georgia where they raise and train their dogs and maintain working dogs for the lodge. Tyla was extremely helpful as we discussed the virtues of purchasing a dog that was a puppy, versus started or completely finished dogs. After several conversations we decided to book a hunt at Fishing Creek Farms in Union Point GA and hunt over the dogs and see if there was one that we made a connection with.

We went to Fishing Creek Farms in February of 2019 for a guided quail hunt to hunt over the English Field Cockers from the SunSage Kennels. The facilities at this lodge are first rate. My wife is not a hunter, however she loves the sporting environment and she enjoys clay shooting. She had such a good time she wants to book a second trip this fall. The place is beautiful with a nice fire pit, comfortable rooms and beds, the lodge is nicely appointed and furnished, the food was outstanding. There is nothing better to me than to enjoy the traditions of wing shooting by day and relax with good wine and good company by the fire pit at night.

The hunting was superb and we enjoyed Tyla and made a new friend. Gretchen was able to spend some time on the 5- Stand on the property where she throughly enjoyed herself. The dogs were wonderful and Gretchen had no idea she would enjoy watching the dogs work in the field as much as she did. She fell in love with a little female Cocker named Royal. Royal is a beautiful liver colored Field Coker with a white blaze down her chest. She is full of energy and a hunting machine. She is a well started dog, trained under the gun and a good retriever.

When we returned from the field Tyla let us spend some time with Royal around the fire pit where she sat in Gretchen’s lap and that sealed the deal. She was completely in love with this little bundle of joy.

We took her home where she immediately fit in with the rest of the pack and has since become Gretchen’s companion, sitting on the couch with her each night. I was able to get in a few hunts at home with her before the season ended and looking forward to next season. She truly is a great “Hearth to Field” companion.