‘Seattle icon’: dog who rode bus solo to the park dies aged 10
A beloved Seattle-area dog known for riding the bus around the major US city by herself in order to get to the dog park has died at the the age of 10.
Eclipse, a black Labrador, had become a firm Seattle favorite and also famous around the world for her solo trips on public transport.
The strange phenomenon began in 2015 when her owner, Jeff Young, was finishing a cigarette and failed to notice in time that Eclipse had climbed onto a bus by herself. The bus then drove off but Eclipse exited at the correct stop and was later found by Young happily playing at her usual dog park.
She then made regular solo trips to the park, usually two to three times per week.
A friend to all, she became well-known in her community and especially among fellow bus riders who enjoyed petting the pup on their commute.
King Country Metro, Seattle’s public transit authority, welcomed the peculiar passenger on each trip. Eclipse eventually became its brand ambassador.
In 2015, Eclipse starred in a promotional music video titled Bus Doggy Dog for King County Metro. With a bus pass strapped to her leash, Eclipse could be seen running all over Seattle, dining at dog-friendly restaurants, shopping for treats, and visiting a local movie theater.
On a Facebook page he made for his four-legged friend, called “Eclipse Seattle’s Bus Riding Dog”, Young shared she passed shortly after being diagnosed with cancerous tumors.
He wrote: “Thank you all for the heartfelt messages about Eclipse Seattle’s Bus Riding Dog she was loved my so many.. RIP in Doggie Heaven you’ll never be forgotten sweet girl.”
After her passing, King County Metro wrote on Twitter: “Eclipse was a super sweet, world-famous, bus riding dog and true Seattle icon. You brought joy and happiness to everyone and showed us all that good dogs belong on the bus.”
