The K9 Concierge

11/26/2024

Friends of The K9 Concierge and Mike:
(this is his brother posting from his account)

My brother Mike was in a terrible motorcycle accident yesterday. He is lucky to be alive, but is in very bad shape. He has multiple orthopedic surgeries in his future followed by a long and difficult recovery. Please consider giving to his go fund me if you are able.

I am Michael O'Brien's older brother, Drew. Mike was very serious… Drew O'Brien needs your support for Help Michael O'Brien recover from devastating injuries.

10/16/2024

07/18/2024

"You are so lucky to be alive."

This is the prevailing thought that has been recirculating through my mind over the last six weeks. I still relive the moment a lot.
I see Sherpa's face. I feel his limp and lifeless body in my arms as I carry him home. I stare at pictures. I hold the box that contains his ashes. And I grieve.

And then I return to how lucky I am to be alive. I have no idea how it didn't go the other way. My physical recovery has been excruciatingly slow and painful. But the pain is gone now. I'm just waiting to regain feeling and functionality in my hand. I won't need surgery, the bite wound is healing and I was spared from having to battle with any infection.

I haven't been able to work for six weeks. It will be at least another six weeks before my hand works and I am able to even do  remedial things, like putting collars on dogs. The walls are starting to cave in, and I need to do some thing about that. I can't just sit here and watch my business go bankrupt. So I'm going to put together a course that I can offer to dog owners which will be part lecture, part hands-on/group training. Once, maybe twice a week at a spot that is centrally located. If I set it up right, it will be every bit as valuable as anything else I've ever offered. I'll just be instructing instead of going hands-on. More details to come on that. 

My heart is still broken. The sadness tends to come and go in these gigantic waves. Sometimes it wakes me up in the middle of the night. I feel hot and short of breath and...afraid. Of what, I don't know. Maybe suffocating. I come downstairs and sit outside on my porch, to feel the breeze on my skin. I focus on my breathing. I try to be present...and patient.

He was more than a best friend. He was an indispensable asset to my business. He was the reason I started this business.
And I still just can't believe he's gone. 
But I am still here.
And very thankful for that. 
48 years is a long damn time to be wandering around on this Earth.
But not long enough.
I want another 48, if possible.

A number of you have reached out to me in recent weeks, offering words of condolence, helping me in different ways. Thank you. I love you too. 

06/17/2024