I first saw "his" picture when he was posted by Cavalier Rescue USA, as Cody, and although I did not think I would ever be able to have another Blenheim because Pearl was a Blenheim, he had a totally different look and of course he was a male. I thought he just had the most adorable face. We had been thinking that Noah needed a sibling. It was early April when I took Noah to visit Jonah, in Virginia to see how they would get along. The minute they met each other they were running around chasing each other and "we had a match!"

The "Name Game" was on in full force! I knew it had to be something biblical. I must have gone through every male name and meaning in the bible. I had my heart set on Jonah, meaning "Dove" and "Peace," but I was worried it would be too close to Noah and they would be confused. But in the end, it was a very strong calling for "Jonah!"

Jonah joined our family on May, 17, 2014. He was a CRUSA rescue surrendered by his owners because as they put it, "he was too busy!" Something I will never understand, at 15 months old, he's supposed to be "playful!" The day I adopted him, I noticed him whipping his head back towards his butt as though something was biting him and I remember thinking that was weird and "not" right. I was concerned but I knew in my heart that he was meant to be with us, so whatever it was, we would deal with it.

Jonah was very guarded when he first joined our family, even just picking him up or moving him on the bed would make him yelp! You could feel him stiffen when you tried to kiss him or get close. He had a lot of issues with moving his bowels which would take him forever. I thought maybe it had something to do with the incident I saw earlier or maybe his previous owners kept him crated for an extreme amount of time and so he had learned to hold his bowels, way too long! So, we started taking him out more often and rewarding him. It did get somewhat better but I was still concerned. Around November of that year, I took him to my Vet to have another discussion about this odd behavior and the fact that at times he would yelp. He had a full blood panel done and x-rays, and everything was fine. He was put on Rimadyl for a short period to see if it would help and at first it seemed too, but it was short lived.

I knew something was going on and so on March 17, 2015, Jonah was scheduled for an MRI at Red Bank Animal Hospital where it was confirmed by Dr. Eric Glass that Jonah has Chiari Malformation without a syrinx, but experiences the pain associated with SM. He has been put on Gabepentin and although the pain has subsided, he still exhibits discomfort at times. He will have follow up visits at 3 months and 6 months and then another MRI in 2016.

Makes me wonder if maybe his previous owners knew that something was not right and that's why they gave him up? Maybe they couldn't handle any medical issues. Maybe they didn't want to incur the costs. I will never know the real reason they gave this sweet boy up but, its ok, they did the right thing by surrendering him to CRUSA where he"¦..found his "forever" home for better or worse! We don't know when his symptoms actually started or how long he had been in pain. And, we got our bowel issue answer!! He gets so excited when he goes now, it's really cute!

Jonah is the sweetest boy! He has come a long way in a year and now he will snuggle with you, let you kiss him and you can even move him on the bed without yelping! He and Noah are so bonded and do everything together. When they occasionally have to be separated, they are actually hugging each other when they see each other when they are back together. He does the cutest things like get a toy whenever he knows we are going in the car somewhere, and whenever either my husband or I come home, he will always greet you with one of his toys in his mouth. He will take Noah's leash in his mouth when we are getting ready to go to the park too! At night when they go to bed, both of them know a biscuit is coming and they will run off to the bedroom side by side, but Jonah will come back out wondering what's taking me so long! He has a special snuggle position with my husband, on the couch when we watch TV, he has to wedge himself in between my husband and the couch and that is "his" spot! He is a true treasure and we love him to pieces!

Thank you to Paula Bailey who brought him into CRUSA and Cheryl Tinsley for fostering him, with the best ever "lovin." After meeting Noah at our first Cavapalooza in Williamburg, both Paula and Cheryl thought Jonah would be the Perfect Match! And ladies"¦"¦"¦you were so right!!

We love you Jonah and are so happy to have you in our family.