Linda Fleming, 66, was a resident of Sequim, Washington, an artist best known for her large outdoor sculptures, such as shown below. Linda's chihuahua, Seri, was a service dog who had long helped her with her rheumatoid arthritis.

The photograph above right shows Linda and Seri on the day Linda took advantage of the recently passed Death With Dignity Act, having been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer and facing a dismal painful end.

In May of 2009 she died with her family, a physician, and members of a patient-advocacy group, Compassion and Choices of Washington, as well as Seri, all by her side.

She'd said, "I am a very spiritual person, and it was very important to me to be conscious, clear-minded and alert at the time of my death." Her final requests were to have a play-date with Seri in the park, and time with her daughter. Seri was afterward lovingly taken in by one of Linda's daughter.