On any given day, a bus rider in Seattle’s Queen Anne neighborhood can hop on the D-Line and find a familiar face sitting next to the window: Eclipse, a black labrador mix with a bus ticket attached to her collar. When the doors open at the dog park, Eclipse knows she’s finally arrived at her destination. And when she’s done playing with her four-legged friends, she’ll hop right back on the bus to head home.
What sounds like a cute movie storyline actually happened by accident.
Jeff Young, Eclipse’s owner, was finishing a cigarette at the bus stop when the D-Line arrived. His furry companion, anxious to get to her destination, apparently didn’t want to wait: she hopped on the bus all by herself before Young could join. He took the next bus and found her at the dog park in Belltown. Apparently, Eclipse had recognized their usual stop and got off by herself. Since then, she’s taken many solo trips, often with Young following shortly behind. (1, 3)
Eclipse’s Rise To Fame
Young’s hard work in training Eclipse no doubt contributed to her successful independence. She originally belonged to Young’s teenaged son, but racking up time as a dog sitter bonded Eclipse and Young together. She’s completely urbanized now, able to easily navigate Seattle’s terrain. She knows exactly where to go and which bus stop to get off at. Young is always there waiting to greet his canine companion when her journey is complete.
Eclipse has become somewhat of a celebrity in Seattle, with every regular bus rider always happy to see her smiling face. She prefers the front seat by the window, though she’ll make an exception for pats and belly rubs. The King County Department of Transportation even made a short video with Eclipse in 2015, documenting a day of her travels. She has been featured in Seattle Met Magazine as one of the top 5 animal celebrities and also acts as the official mascot of the Transit Screen Company. (1, 3)
Young has also created a Facebook page for Eclipse, garnering over 72,000 likes while sharing photos of his bus-riding dog. He shares some of her favorite things (like hugs, full moons, and off-leash parks) while regularly sharing pictures of her adventures. Her fans, known as ‘Ecliptomaniacs’, can get an official sticker to show off their Eclipse pride. Many of her fellow passengers have posted their own selfies with Eclipse to the page, always with huge smiles. (2)
Living Her Best Life
It’s Eclipse’s positive spirit and infectious happiness that her fellow bus riders enjoy. A dog riding a bus alone is a delightful novelty, and regular riders miss her when she’s not there. If Young ever rides the bus alone, he always gets asked about Eclipse. Who wouldn’t enjoy a wagging tale and cuddly pet while heading to their destination? Her canine companions enjoy her too! At the dog park in Belltown, this black beauty can be seen catching air and rolling the grass as she frolics with her friends.
Eclipse is clearly living her best life, and her joy is inspiring. If you ever want to meet this lovely lady in person, take a ride on the D-Line and you just might end up sitting next to her. She’ll be sure to make your ride the best one you’ve ever had.
