Well, we got Patrick and Desi connection still, yeah? Patrick could also know Marek and his family because of the whole Law Enforcement thing and his father being ADA, grandpa a judge, oldest brother a lawyer, middle brother a cop...
As for Ronan, Marek would be the only possibility? To be fair, he'd be the most hapless owner in the world. Ronan would just have to handle small bits of pet play instincts and such.