Eclipse was just one of many bitches in Seattle and yet they had grown fond of many people in the American city. The Labrador Mastiff mix dog was known to make the journey from her home to the dog park by herself—using public transit. As a result, it not only became a familiar sight for many other passengers, but also gained international fame through social media.
The dog has now passed away, as her owner Jeff Young announced on the Facebook account he ran specifically for Eclipse. There he posted a touching farewell video, many fans and residents of the city in Washington State said goodbye. Eclipse turned ten years old. Young wrote in a previous post that she was suffering from cancer.
The King County Metro, Seattle’s public transportation operator, also paid tribute to the dog on Twitter: “Eclipse was a super cute, world famous bus driver dog and a true Seattle icon. You brought joy and happiness to all and showed us all that good dogs live in own the bus.”
The company also thanked Eclipse for putting smiles on the faces of many passengers.
Eclipse discovered her passion for bus driving when he once took too long smoking, said owner Jeff Young a few years ago. The dog just jumped on the bus herself, drove the usual way to the dog park and “got off” at the right stop.
Since then, the bitch has always covered the distance on her own. “She’s totally urbanized,” Young told CNN in 2015. “She drives the bus and uses the sidewalk.” There are probably not many dogs that are so independent on the road.
After his dog’s death, Jeff Young raises funds to have her cremated. Any money left over will be used for dog poop bag dispensers in Seattle: “To help good dogs have better owners.”
Sources: “Eclipse Seattle’s Bus Riding Dog” on Facebook / King County Metro on Twitter / CNN
