Where do champions come from? Some times you see a kitten as it is born, and you know it is some thing special. Other times they come from the most unlikely of places and situations. Here is the story of one very special boy named Sandstorm.

Sandy was born one cold winters day.....okay that was a fib. Here in Southern California, we never have cold days. Any way, he was truly the smallest kitten in the litter, but he did show some special qualities even as a young baby. Being a Seal Lynx Point, he was born with very light markings (marbles show more color than the spotted babies do). He was a first pick back to a breeder friend of mine, and I was there with her when she made her pick.

Well, Sandy was originally sold to a couple with 2 young boys when he was about 12 weeks old. When he was about 9 months old, the couple decided they would rather have new carpet and furniture than any pets. They contacted the breeder to see if she knew of any one who wanted to buy him. My husband and I went out to see him, and just about fell off our feet. Here was this beautiful boy, contrasted, soft coat, glitter, sweet, and at 9 months old, hadn't been neutered. We bought him within 10 minutes of walking in the door.

Our drive home was delightful. I took him out of the carrier once we were on the road, and this beautiful boy just cuddled and purred on my lap the 2 hour trip home. I certainly was in kitty heaven. His original name was Sampson, but that wasn't a good enough name, plus they never registered him through TICA. So his name was changed to Sandstorm, or Sandy for short.

At Sandy's first show, he made Champion status on the first day. He really didn't enjoy the other cat smells there, so we pulled him after the first day. We just let him soak up the atmosphere the second day. You also need to understand that the judges don't like the snows that much on the West Coast, as they do on the East Coast. When a snow gets a final at the show out here, that is a big thing.

I showed Sandy for 2 years, and slowly he received the finals he needed to receive the titles he so richly deserved. He really loved being shown, and would purr for the judges as soon as he was being handled. He had more than enough points to be a Supreme Grand Champion, but needed the elusive "Best Cat" final.

I was planning to retire him after the 1999/2000 show season was over. He was a Quad Grand Champion, and that in itself is very impressive, even for a brown Bengal. At a show in Arcadia, California, he received "Best Bengal" in Carol Barton's ring. In the past, she has never given him a thing. We are called up for the final, and she announces 10th best, we're up to 5th best, 3rd best, and she hasn't said Sandy's number. She says 2nd best, and I tell you.....I almost passed out when he received the "Best Cat" final! I still get chills when I think about it. He finally made it to Supreme Grand Champion.

I am so proud of my beautiful boy, and he worked so hard for those 2 years. It was sad when I decided to retire him from showing. He is full time stay at home stud boy, and is enjoying every minute of it.

So if you ever ask yourself, where do these breeders come up with their champion cats, this is the story of my boy. I might also add.....to my knowledge, he is the only snow on the West Coast to ever become a Supreme Grand Champion.