Niki and our favorite kennel owner Michael were extremely close. When she called the kennel this afternoon to check on our dogs, his assistant Alex said he had some really bad news. We never would have guessed that the news was that Michael died of a heart attack three days ago and that his funeral is tomorrow.I'm in shock.
He used to watch our dog Duncan when we'd go away and Niki fell in love with the cute King Charles Cavalier Spaniels he bred, but he wouldn't sell them to just anyone. When we tried to get one, somehow I failed his "good dog owner" test and we had to wait until his next litter to try again. I had a ton of respect for him. He was super direct, very blunt. I loved him.
A heart attack, damn. His dogs were his life. He worked all day long every day of the week. When other people were on vacation, he was there watching dogs. He spent decades as a trainer and groomer and had walls full of Westminster and other dog show ribbons.
On the outer edges of town, his kennel is probably the closest business to our house. Almost every time we drive in and out of our neighborhood we pass his kennel, which Jack calls "Michael's house."
He had no partners in his business. It will surely close its doors and we're going to drive past it every day and be reminded of this great guy who died
At least he loved the dogs he spent every waking minute with.
UPDATE: Although Michael was the sole owner of Stonybrook Kennels, Michael's family and Alex -- who worked with Michael for 22 of those 30 years, effectively his partner -- are keeping Stonybrook going. That's fantastic news because Stonybrook is popular and a lot of people had booked holiday boarding for their dogs way in advance.
GrimJack
EZ Street
Jon Sable, Freelance
Comments (14)
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Arron Smith 762 days ago
Thank you for posting such wonderful things about Michael. Although I had only known him about 7 years, he was my best friend. He was the one who made me feel happy just by the sound of his voice, the one who came to my aid when I was sick and the one who invited me into his home for Thanksgiving every year (and cooked the most amazing meals!!!). I am a better person for having known him, and it was a pleasure and a privilege to call him my friend. I will love him forever.
Rachel Bochnia 762 days ago
I just receieved an email from my Mother informing me about Mike's death..Although I will prevent myself from "running at the mouth", I was speechless at the time when i heard the news.
I went to work for Michael and Stonybrook as a groomer at the tender age of 19 back in 1985. Over the 3 years I worked for him, I have til this day never met anyone like him. He IS the reason I believed in my talents (in grooming and art)..no one had ever been a bigger cheerleader for me than he was. The respect and admiration I held for him was always the highest, and many years later when I moved right down the street from the kennel, we were able to rekindle a friendship I always treasured.
Now to be so far away from NY, i sat here thinking of all the laughs and the things I learned with and from Mike. I will be thankful everyday for knowing him, and all his dogs have lost a valuable friend, has all of us. I am truly sorry we never stayed in touch the last couple of years.
You can take a break now my friend...
PS: My personal pet portrait website that I posted above on this form is a direct result of his gentle prodding me over the years to finally DO something with my Art.
Thanks Michael.
David Esses 762 days ago
I just went to Meadow Vet Hospital to pick up some medication for my 10 1/2 month old cavalier which we got from Michael. While I was there, I saw the most beautiful black and brown cavalier. When I spoke with the owner and told her where I got my cavalier, she told me that Michael died. The dog she had was one of his own.
Michael was one of the most trustworthy people I have ever met. If you passed his test and he thought you would be a suitable family for one of his puppies, he was also the most trusting person.
He cared not just about his dogs, but about the families which adopted them. He knew just which dog was suitable for which family.
We will never forget him.
Maggie Stern 755 days ago
We were devestated to hear the news that Michael had passed away. We were one of the very fortunate families that passed the Michael test and we got one of his cavalier puppies almost three years ago. When our dog became part of our family so did Michael. When I heard the news I felt as though I was not qualified to have our cavalier if I didn't also have Michael. In the three years we knew him he had become very important to our lives. We will miss him always and we think of him daily. We are glad to know that Alex and Stonybrook will continue to exist so that in some way Michael is still a part of our lives.
We take some solace knowing that Michael and Tyler are together again.
Karen Drogin aka Carly Phillips 754 days ago
Alex asked me to post his thoughts and his thanks to everyone:
"After 22 years working in the same room, you get to know a person well. When the news of Mike's death hit me, all of my focus was on the future of his dogs because I knew that is what Mike would worry most about. I knew he would want loving permanent homes for the dogs he considered his family. There are many different types of homes: houses, apartments, trailers etc. Mike's home was the kennel. Because of Mike's unique home, his dogs had very special needs. So many people offered to give Mike's family homes. I know all these offers were made from the heart but I had to choose homes that were a perfect fit for each animal and his or her personality and needs. As of today, I have found homes for almost all of Mike's dogs. Almost every dog placed went to someone who already had a dog from Mike, so I know the home and family already had his approval. It is a great honor to have one of Mike's dogs. But there is no shame or embarrassment if I turned down an offer to give one of Mike's pets a home.
Now that the future of Mike's dogs are well on the way to being secured, I can start to think of mine. Luckily I have no deadline. Mike and his family and the landlord want me to continue Stonybrook Kennels. I want you to know that your dogs will always be cared for the way Mike wanted. The same level of safety, comfort and happiness will always be maintained. No one can come close to Mike's skill and talent as a groomer but your dogs will be well loved and taken care of in the way Mike would want."
Alex
Mary Jane Pisani 750 days ago
Thank you Brian for your kind words, and for giving me the opportunity to share mine. I was privledged to have known Michael my entire life. He was not only my cousin; he was my client and my friend. If only I had the chance to say goodbye, to let him know how much I loved him. Although he may have complained that his life was the kennel. I think deep down it was his true passion in life. He is one of the few people who made a living doing what he truly loved; raising and caring for dogs. They were his children.
I remember when he was about 11 or 12, he had this idea how he was going to breed a Silky Terrier. His dog Alphie was a Yorkshire Terrier and our dog Missy
was an Australian Terrier. He read that long ago that's how Silky Terrier's were bred. Well thanks to Mike's assistance, Missy became pregnant and gave birth two three adorable cross bred Silky Terriers, and he gave his little sisters and cousin a lesson in how puppies were made. He certainly was ahead of the times, considering today there are so many NAMED cross breeds.
Michael I miss you and know you will be missed by many. Mary Jane
Posted at 3:23PM on Dec 3rd 2006 by Mary Jane Pisani
Deirdre 748 days ago
I am speechless.I was trying to contact Michael today to confirm rumors of my own Father's death when I stumbled upon this entry...I am totally stunned.
Rocky 744 days ago
I may be the last person to find out about Michael's passing. Edmee found out yesterday, called Peggy who told me, and I called Alex last night. I feel terrible for not knowing. Michael was incredible, and I will miss him dearly. Fourteen years ago I bought two yellow lab pups (Fred & Ethel) and I really did not know what I was doing. Michael helped me every step of the way including guiding me last year 12/27/06 when I had to put Fred down. Most recently, he has helped save Ethel from some severe illnesses. Only because Ethel has gotten better and the fact that we have not travelled since mid november did I not have contact with Stonybrook. One thing for sure I will never leave Stonybrook especially since I have now heard that Alex will be running the business going forward.
Very sad news. God bless Michael. Rocky Shepard
the Hallerman family 706 days ago
We took Saki to a new groomer today. When I picked him up he looked as miserable as the job they did. Got home, called Alex, thinking the number was disconnected but hoping someone would pick up. The news that Stonybrook would remain open was bittersweet. Michael has been a part of our lives from the time Saki was a puppy. We the reluctant dog owners, acquiring this adorable shih tzu pup as a result of our daughter's life threatening illness. When your child is in intensive care and says she wants a dog you do it without question. Nearly fifteen years later, our daughter is fine and so is Saki whom we cherish. But it wasn't all that easy. Saki had health issues and Michael was the first person we would call. Saki had food issues and we called Michael. Saki had training problems and we called Michael. Patient, caring, supportive Michael. When we would bring Saki for grooming Michael would scoop him up and hug him and tell us what a wonderful dog he was. We knew Michael meant it for he had no pretenses. He was open honest and direct. For fifteen years he was our mentor and friend and when Michael wasn't around it was Alex who calmed our fears with his good counsel. This past summer Saki developed another health problem and wasn't responding to treatment. We talked to Michael and in his gentle way I could see he was preparing us for the end of Saki's life. Saki made it through this illness but Michael will not be there to support us in the future. We will miss his gentle demeanor, the easy rapport he had with Saki, the real concern he showed for Saki's well being and for our family as well. Over the years our family took turns taking Saki to Michael for grooming and so we all developed our own personal relationships with him. The children who were teenagers then are now married adults and were in shock when we told them of Michael's passing. In fact only a copy of the obituary convinced them it was true. We would like to extend our condolences to Michael's family and friends and to tell you how special he was to our family. We will remember Michael as a true mensch, a person of great character who knew what was really important in life.
Peg 707 days ago
Actually, Rocky, I think I may be the last person to have found
out: TODAY January 30, 2007--when I called the kennel and
spoke with Alex to see if Michael was there. I assumed he
would be--it was ONLY 7:30pm! I have known Michael for
almost 20 years and I loved him like a brother, a teacher,
a confidant, co-conspirator, and a best friend.
Needless to say, I wept. I have a hole in my heart right
next to the one that I still hold for Oreo. I recognize some
of the names on this blog. I felt good about that. We all shared
Michael and now we are sharing his loss. I first met Michael
because somehow I fell in love with a giant fuzzy panda-looking
furball namedCh.Ha'Penny Black Orpheus. What was I thinking?
What was I doingwith a creature like that? A show dog?! I never
asked for THAT responsibility. Oreo was just destined to be in my
life, as was my dear Michael--my dear, dear friend through so
many years and through so many journeys. I drove all the way from
NYC once a weekfor almost 13 years to have Ores groomed only
by Michael [and Alex]. When you have dogs like that, the
special ones that you never forget, sometimes your mind can
wander to what it would be like if they weren't around because
death comes so quickly in dog years. Michael and Iwould sit
on the low stone wall in front of the kennel and wonder about all
sorts of life's mysteries. Michael once said to me, "Peg, you are
special because you don't see WHAT someone is, but WHO
someone is." In hindsight, he was really describing himself.
Michael was one of the wisest, truly wisest, people I have ever met, and believe me I have shared time with some very interesting, educated,
and accomplished people. But Michael...Michael was a treasure.
He was a treasure in his insights, his compassion, and his
understanding. He was a treasure in his commitments, his vision,
and his his values. And he was a treasure in his accomplishments
and his honesty--with himself and with the world. Michael did not
have much patience for hypocracy, nor hypocrites. He
was a warrior for justice and for those without a voice. He was true
to himself and he lived in truth. Most of all he TRULY made a
difference in the world on the small and large stage--he helped
to change the world in somany tangible ways while also making
it a little bit better andkinder. Not many people, even at the end,
can claim that! When that half way point arrives in your dog's
life and you begin to dread death's onset, you can't imagine life
without this incredible wonderful, loving creature who you know,
through thick or thin, will always be there when you reach out.
I know Michael will forgive me for the comparison, but he was
like that. What I am also trying to say is that Michael was not
even half way through his life!!! Two months ago we spoke--
I had a crisis--I brought home a new puppy that I couldn't resist
from a "pet store"--an impulse--after ten years of being without
a dog. I was panicked--what had I done?! Michael in his
inimitable honesty and patience and compassion put it all in
perspective and made me laugh. We relived old times as we
always did, and planned for new times. Ihave a hole in my
heart for you Michael. I will miss the years tocome that we
will never share and the adventures that we will never weave.
But I know you will always be there for me and for the many
people you loved and who loved you. You will find a way to be
there for us all as you always have been, because that's WHO
you are. And don't you worry about anything, Michael;
we will also be there for you. And Alex...Alex will be there
for you, incredibly strong and brave, as he has been for us all.
You are doing a brilliant job, Alex,of pulling together the pieces
that remain and holding them above the tide. The pieces will heal
and grow together, and we will be therefor you too, supporting
you and helping you to carry on for us all. Thank you Alex
from the bottom of my heart. And thank you Michael--for everything.
I will love you forever, Peg
Becky Salko and family 695 days ago
Two years ago our family adopted a retired racing greyhound. I knew there would be times when we traveled when we would need to board "Karen" our new greyound family member. I contacted several of the larger kennels in the area and found they had very little knowlege or experience with greyhounds (a very different breed than most). A neighbor I met walking his dog in the park recomended Michael at Stonybrook. I called. Michael answered and set up an appointment so he could meet Karen. At the time I thought it was strange. But after meeting Michael (and Alex) I realized that this was a special place where dogs (even guest dogs) were treated with kindness and respect. Michael knew more about site hounds and greyhounds than most of the people at the addoption group where we got Karen.
On Karen's third or fourth stay at Stonybrook there was a power outage. Michael realized that lack of heat is a problem for our greyhound because of her light fur and lack of fat. He took Karen with him so that she would be kept warm.
We will always remember Michael for his warm heart and expert advise. He was never too busy to show my children his puppies, or answer our questions about the best way to care for our dog.
With great sadness, we will miss you for ever.
The salko Family
Joanne Olson 577 days ago
I had known Mike since moving to the New York area in 1983. When Alex told me about Mike's passing at Thanksgiving I just couldn't believe it, and I still can't. Mike had taken care of 3 generations of my dogs. He was always warm, caring and helpful and always so giving. His advice about my dogs was always perfect.
We all will miss him.
Gina 504 days ago
Today, August 21, would have been my brother, Michael's 48th birthday. Our hearts are still heavy and our minds are still in disbelief. It is very comforting to know that he was loved by so many and will forever be missed. Not a day will go by that we do not think of him. He has impacting so many lives. My dear brother is finally able to rest. He is now watching over us. Look for the signs, there are many. One of Mike's favorite songs growing up was Peter Framptons "Baby, Show me the Way". I hear that song at least once a day on the radio. I now smile when I hear it. It makes me feel closer to him. My sister and I are now driving his 1989 black Mercedes. We had special plates made in his honor. They are NY plates that say TKTHLEAD. So, if you see us driving, honk your horn for Michael--a truly wonderful man!
nicole 138 days ago
happy birthday uncle michael, i miss you.