Jon Bone Jovi

We call him Joyful Jovi—because he really does spread joy. We’ve always had dogs from breeders, not for any specific reason other than that’s just what we did. Our last dog was a Cane Corso from a reputable breeder, and we loved her deeply. When she passed last fall, something shifted. We knew that when we were ready for another dog, we wanted to adopt instead of buy. It just felt right. And then, in late spring, the timing lined up. We were ready. One quick Google search for “Cane Corso adoption near me,” and there he was—Jon Bones Jovi. A 5 year old Cane Corso / Mastiff mix. Call it fate or good karma, but we went to Animal Haven and Jovi came home with us that day. What I didn’t expect was how different the experience of adopting would feel compared to buying a puppy. Yes, getting a dog is always joyful—they bring fun, energy, and companionship—but Jovi brought something more. When I look at him, there’s this unspoken sense of appreciation, like he knows he’s safe and loved, and he’s grateful. It makes us feel good—like little everyday heroes, even if we’re really just lucky to have him. Another unexpected joy is his age. At five years old, Jovi came with a full personality—quirks, habits, preferences—already baked in. With puppies, you grow and shape them together. With Jovi, we’re constantly discovering new things about him. For example: he loves watermelon. When we cut our first watermelon of the season, you’d have thought the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile pulled into the driveway—he was that excited. It’s genuinely fun to see what surprises he brings to everyday life. One moment, in particular, stands out. We spend summers at a lakeside cottage and were curious if Jovi would take to the water—our previous Cane Corso was firmly not a swimmer. At first, Jovi was cautious. He’d pace along the shoreline, peer nervously off the dock, but never set a paw in. Week after week, same story. Then one day, while my husband and son were tossing a football in the lake, Jovi was clearly intrigued. I grabbed some high-value treats and waded into the shallow end. He watched me closely. I encouraged him gently. Still, he hesitated—but then I saw it. One tentative paw reached out and barely touched the water. Then again. And again. After a few more minutes, he stepped in—just a few inches at first, then a few more. When he felt the lake bottom under his feet, something clicked. He wasn’t afraid—just unfamiliar. Soon we were tossing the ball in for him, and to our amazement, he chased after it, swimming deeper and more confidently each day. Now? He loves the water. He’s still working on his form, but make no mistake—he’s a water dog. At five years old, he discovered something totally new, and we couldn’t be prouder. You can tell he’s proud of himself, too. Adopting Jovi has brought a different kind of joy into our lives—one rooted in second chances, small discoveries, and the quiet reward of knowing we’re giving a good dog a great life. Every day with him is a reminder that it’s never too late to try something new, to trust a little more, or to dive headfirst into the unknown (even if it’s just a lake). He’s goofy, gentle, and full of heart—and watching his personality unfold has been one of the most rewarding parts of our year. You can follow Jovi @joyfuljovi on Instagram to see how he’s spreading joy—one watermelon slice, lake swim, and tail wag at a time.