More: Ellie was an exceptional dog in every way. She was an awesome hiker, rode on the back of my kayak, and the best fetcher. When she was 12, she developed Laryngeal Paralysis (LarPar). Slowly she was unable to breath and we had to make the difficult decision to let her go. This is a terrible condition and more research should be done to treat and prevent it so that our dear loved ones don't have to suffer.