Welcome to this week’s Cleveland Chronicles.

During Team Training I could not remember his name. I’d have a command ready and I’d just look into his big brown eyes and think what is your name? Sometimes, I could see his tag, other times I searched my mental filing cabinets for names starting with a CL. There are a lot of options for a CL name combination. The good news is that after just over three weeks I can call him Cleveland on the spot!

Last Friday, I used a Dremel tool to shorten his nails. The guy was taking a nap while I was taking a power tool to his feet. You can’t get much calmer than that.

Cleveland outweighs me by at least twenty pounds, an intimidating size under normal circumstances. He hasn’t bumped me over once. He is as slow and steady as I am.

The most amazing thing I learned during the week was that Cleveland can count to four. I have no idea how his humans taught such an amazing command. I took a short video clip and I am sharing it here.

This week he has retrieved items, tugged and pulled my wheelchair and has worked his way deeper into my soul.

If you are interested in becoming an Amazing Puppy Raiser for Canine Companions for Independence visit the site at CCI.org.