GP, RW Jim-An-Di Santana of Lapis Sire: CH Jim-An-Di Always of Alexy Dam: CH Pattam’s Dark Mystery of Jim-An-Di CFA’s Best Siamese in Premiership Nationally 2001-2002 CFA’s GLR’s 6th Best Cat in Premiership 2001-2002

Dianne Jurgens Alexy introduced me to the world of show quality Siamese when I visited her cattery in December 1999 to purchase a pet quality kitten. I thought I had never seen anything as beautiful as the blue-eyed angels that peered out at me from a basket full of Siamese kittens. I left Dianne’s with the pet kitten and the idea that I would like to show in CFA. Not just any cat I told her, but a cat I can campaign in premiership. She might well have laughed at my audacity, but she didn’t.

In May, Dianne called to tell me that she had a seal point male kitten that was quite special, and asked if I would be interested. When I asked her just how nice he was, she laughed and suggested I come see for myself. I will never forget that first sight. He took my breath away. He was on his way to Kentucky. I named my boy, Jim-An-Di Santana of Lapis, not as the namesake of Carlos Santana, but rather after one of my former World’s Champion American Saddlebred Horses, WC Santana Summer.
National Capitol, September 2000

Sani was a one show grand on my birthday August 27 at the Nova Show in Pennsauken, New Jersey. In his first show as a grand he finaled across the board at Flint, Michigan. He then gave me the thrill of a lifetime when he was twice Best Cat at National Capital. He was off and running.
Linda and Sani at the Carolina Sophisticats Show in February 2001
The first week of January, just as Sani had reached his 100 Rings, he came down with an upper respiratory infection and we had to miss five show weekends. I wondered at that point if we would make our goal. But, when Sani returned to the show ring in February, it was with a vengeance at Fort Mill, South Carolina, with his proud breeder looking on. I knew then that we would make a high regional win, and set my sights on best Siamese in premiership nationally. Sani sealed that win at the Charlotte Show the first weekend in April where he was high scoring cat in premiership. The battle was over. The campaign had encompassed 21 Shows, included 16 states, 5 CFA Regions, and took us from Claymont, Delaware to West Palm Beach, Syracuse to St. Louis, Chicago to Charlotte. Like the champion he is, Sani traveled and showed like a real trooper from start to finish. In airports, hotels and show halls everywhere, he always conducted himself like a perfect gentleman and ambassador for the breed.
Santana was highest scoring Cat in Premiership at The Crafty Cat Show
in Charlotte, NC in April of 2001

If I had to describe my lovely Santana in three words, those words would undoubtedly be elegance, length and drama. He will forever live in my mind as what a Siamese should embody, with his pencil fine muzzle, smooth wedge, absolutely flat profile, domed head, navy blue eyes, intense matching point color, fine boning and extreme length.

It is no secret that I was only Sani’s valet. I simply carried the luggage. The real credit for Santana of Lapis belongs to his breeder, Dianne Jurgens Alexy. In a complete act of faith, Dianne entrusted this very special cat to a total newbie, in the belief that I could, and would, take him as far as possible. And, her work had just begun, because now she had to teach me how to condition and present a campaign quality cat. No easy task under any conditions, it was made especially difficult by us living hundreds of miles apart. Dianne personally accompanied me to my first several shows. Then she handed me off to experienced exhibitors until I felt comfortable going it alone. She did her hardest work on the telephone coaching, coaxing, urging and when needed, bullying me to continue on the path I had set for myself. When at times I lost my confidence, she assured me that Sani was "the real thing" and reminded me to keep my eye on the ball. Most important of all, she demanded that I never embarrass myself, or my cat, by presenting him in less than optimum condition. In late night phone calls to lonely hotel rooms around the country, she often reminded me that victory belongs to those who perservere.

Linda and Dianne at the Awards Banquet

It is to Dianne Jurgens Alexy, dedicated breeder and mentor extraordinaire, and to my lovely, elegant Santana that this accomplishment is dedicated.

~ Linda Johnson ~

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