Hello, to start my name is Hailey Russell, the owner of toby.
Since high school I remember seeing a picture of an elegant dog thinking what breed is that?! Most people stop and stare in awe at the majestic  characteristics this breed has. Over the years I would heavily research this breed knowing one day I will have enough room & a high high enough for one to roam around. In 2018, I went to Ireland after graduate school and met two amazing AKC involved breeders and owners. Where I met their dogs, specially Darcy stood out to me. A big beautiful wheaten wolfhound, it was then I knew exactly what I wanted. Fastforward 2 years later, I moved to a ranch where I could finally have my dream dog.

On March 24, I was finally picking up my dream boy! After the 12 hour trek little Toby was finally home. The breeder graciously gave us a 2 year health certificate within our contract which we thought we could lean on incase any unforeseen genetic health issue arose.. we’ve always maintained contact with the breeder mentioning how things weren’t just right and he always seemed down and off and it was hard to determine during and in between growth spurts and teething.. but he just wasn’t acting like a “puppy”. No playing, no barking, no snuggles or eager to go on walks.. he just slept. We though “oh, he’s growing, and growing boys need sleep”. 

Since having him for a few months we have already encountered multiple issues with growing pains, foxtails, a hygroma and what we thought was an obstruction... he has always been underweight by 30lbs and never wanted to eat or finish meals. 

On June 18th, Toby started exhibiting symptoms of panting, pacing, discomfort, disconnected, no coordination, head pressing, hiding and distraught. I thought it immediately had to do with the surgery he just had to get a mass tested.. which thankfully was a hygroma and foxtail. We did blood tests which showed he was within the normal ranges but still something was not right.

That night, I headed Sage Emergency Vet alone, scared & distraught I was going to loose my best friend and the dog that saved me during the craziest time of my life. I was told at first his heart was erratic and needed to stay overnight to monitor and run diagnostics. I was told if your dog goes into cardiac arrest, “do you want us to perform CPR?”. I said to them “of course I do!! He’s only 6 months old!!” Then he has to stay the night where multiple x-rays were taken, ultra sounds and other diagnostics.

A recurved a call Friday morning, June 20th, saying they found via ultra sound what seemed to be a mass in his stomach more so a rag. I was relieved and was ready to get this obstruction out ! 

However, if this already wasn’t a rollercoaster, I received a call no more than 20 mins later in the middle of the grocery store saying .. we didn’t find a rag.. but we can see his liver is abnormal with large veins. They suspected intrahepatic liver shunt .. a liver biopsy and multiple bile acid tests were taken. Normal bile acid levels are within 15.. Toby’s came back 31 & 37, more than double.. my world came crashing. I rushed home crying not knowing how I could come up with more money for such an extensive surgery.. 

They closed him back up and I was finally able to pick him up 6pm Saturday, June 21st. 

Over the next couple of days, I extensively researching this disease and find an excellent soft tissue surgeon, Dr.Culp at UC Davis, who would be able to perform this surgery on Toby, but with a price tag of $9,500-11,500.. His team wrote the first prospective article on the topic recently, and demonstrated some encouraging results. All of the treated cases were discharged from the hospital, and 92% of dogs were clinically normal at 3-months after treatment. It was a breathe of fresh air, he could have the quality of life he deserves & I will do whatever it takes to give him that. He is only 6 months !! 

 You’re probably wondering, what is a liver shunt?

The portal vein is a large vein that collects blood from the gastrointestinal system, pancreas, and spleen and carries it into the liver, where toxins and other byproducts are removed. A liver shunt occurs when an abnormal connection persists or forms between the portal vein or one of its branches, and another vein, allowing blood to bypass, or shunt, around the liver.

In the majority of cases, a liver shunt is caused by a birth defect called a congenital portosystemic shunt. In some cases, multiple small shunts form because of severe liver disease such as cirrhosis. These are referred to as acquired portosystemic shunts. The breeder did not test the puppies for liver shunt which is highly recommended and this could have been avoided entirely.

During this time I have been in contact with the breeder, however, they are stating they will not refund me his purchase price or help with any vet bills. I am instead being bullied into receiving a guaranteed future puppy. I DO NOT want that nor to potentially feel this same type of betrayal if the puppy given was not tested. With no help from the breeder, I applied for care credit and credit cards which I was only granted $4,000.. which only covers 1/2 of his first surgery. 

While I have pet insurance, they do not cover any upfront costs or congenital health defects. 


I need help to give Toby the life he deserves, I owe him this and I will get justice for him.
I was told he was the pick of the litter, but I’m slowly finding out that’s a common theme for this breeder and the last one picked up.. I was lied to, betrayed, and in the end a helpless puppy was pawned off when this could have been avoided. We need to do this surgery as soon as possible to further prevent any more internal issues.

Anything helps and would help beyond words... I do my best not to ask for help ever, but I need help. I cannot fathom the idea of a 6 month puppy being put to sleep due to finances.. please help save my baby boy Toby !


This too shall pass .. please say a prayer for toby if you cannot donate.