From Diane, regarding Lynn understanding a client's needs:

Levi, Jessie, Shasta, Coda, & Mya

"My Name is Diane Ostrem and I live in Northern California, a small city called Cottonwood. I first met Lynn Whinery when I was searching for an additional Australian Shepherd on the internet.

Through email communication when I first found Lynn and Bonza, I told Lynn I wanted a dog that could be used in the conformation ring, compete in agility, possibly try herding with and of course go through obedience. A BIG order. I also told her about my family, and other pets at home.

She had a couple of black tri's available. After discussions back and forth and basically profiling my home situation, and other pets, we picked Twyla, a black tri bitch. Twyla, now Jessie (Bonza's Living In Twilight), was born 9/3/04.

After a BIG move for me, (divorce) and move up north, I wanted more……………

I had a black tri and a blue merle male – Boldhearts Blue Levi, (who by the way goes back to the Bonza Line) and a doxie.

Lynn and I talked, discussed Levi and Jessie, and although Jessie is everyone's dream dog, I wanted a little more drive. Jessie's mom was being bred to Ho-dog (herding lines) and Lynn and I decided it was just the right mix.

Boca was born 3/19/06, a red bi with a mouth (boca means mouth) and showing a lot of enthusiasm from the start. Lynn had her picked right from the get go, but there were two red tri bitch's also in the litter. Lynn watched them and she and her family evaluated them daily, which puppies were showing what behaviors. We ruled out one as she showed less drive, then eventually Lynn said, "It's Boca". I went with her advice and Boca, now Shasta (Bonza's It Hasta Be Shasta), is my beautiful red –bi with awesome drive, enthusiasm, a GREAT love for agility, turned on by a single word, “ready”, but as loving and loyal as Jessie.

Everyone would be satisfied, and I thought I wanted to breed Jessie, but decided to leave that to the pro's. I wanted a red merle boy, as close to Jessie's line as Possible. Lynn told me of her plans to breed Jessie's sister Cloudy to Snowcrest lines (like Jessie's dad), a perfect solution!!

Knowing me, Lynn knew I wanted an agility dog, an obedience dog, possible herding and conformation to boot. I left this to her, and she carefully selected Morse, born 1/26/07. Morse, now Bonza's Da Capo Al Coda (meaning from beginning to end), Coda, is a beautiful bouncy red merle boy!!!

Diane's Aussie Posse and a Doxie was complete.

Jessie has earned a Reserve Winners Bitch (AKC) in her very minimal conformation shows, (I like agility excitement more) she is in the last level (5) of CPE Agility (at 3 years of age), and has her Canine Good Citizen title (earned at 5 months). Shasta has a Best Opposite Sex, Puppy (ASCA), is full of drive and will start showing agility very soon. Evaluated by agility experts as high drive with great potential, she is always ready to go! Coda is in training. I have not entered any AKC agility trials with Jessie as I enjoy CPE venue more, but I am more than positive she can do so with ease.

How is it possible that 4 Aussies (very close in age) and a Doxie live in harmony, are easily trained, fit my lifestyle, and are the hearts and souls of my life?

This is due to a breeder that cares about her customers and her dogs. She is able to carefully select which puppy suits which customer based on evaluation and detailed questions of the prospective buyer. Lynn not only takes extra time to suit you to your puppy, but offers lifetime questions and answers! She is an email or phone call away, always willing to offer advice on training, food, medical or just get an update on how her children are doing. She is exceptional in her matches, and as a repeat customer I highly recommend her and her dogs. I have had NO medical issue with my Aussies, this in my opinion is due to Lynn's careful breeding selection, her knowledge of Aussie genetic issues, her continued updates on any new medical advice, knowledge, vaccination, food protocol she can find.

Buying a Bonza Puppy is an experience well worth repeating. In my family, I have 3 (4 counting Levi) my sister has one, my son's girlfriend has 2, and her sister has 1. I cannot offer more of a high recommendation than this. My thanks will always be to Lynn and her family for providing such fantastic additions to my family. "