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'Godspeed Eclipse’: Seattle's beloved labrador who rode bus ALONE to dog park daily dies of cancer

Eclipse began riding the bus in 2015. She took the bus downtown to the dog park, where she made friends and exercised before taking the bus back home

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON: Eclipse, the world-famous Seattle dog that gained popularity for boarding a bus by herself to get to the park, has died of cancer, her official Facebook page informed.

The 10-year-old black labrador-bull mastiff mix, who had just been diagnosed with cancer, died unexpectedly in her sleep on Friday morning. King County Metro's official account shared a post on Twitter confirming the death of Eclipse. 

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"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."King County Metro, the Twitter post said.

According to KIRO-TV, Eclipse initially gained popularity when she began taking the bus by herself in 2015. Eclipse boarded the bus by herself since she had developed a habit from her many trips after her human partner, Jeff Young, waited too long to finish a cigarette.

She began riding the bus to a dog park in downtown Seattle, where she met people and worked out, before taking the bus home, CNN reported. Eclipse would even carry a pass for the bus around her neck. KIRO stated that Young said Eclipse rode the D-three Line's to four stations alone herself and always knew where to get off.

The black labrador-bull mastiff mix was frequently observed pacing the D-line bus aisles and sitting in the seats much like a human. Riders who enjoyed the company of the dog traveler gave the animal plenty of attention. "All the bus drivers know her. She sits here just like a person does," Tiona Rainwater, a commuter, told KOMO in 2015. "She makes everybody happy. How could you not love this thing?"

A lot of admirers sent their condolences through Eclipe's Facebook and Twitter pages. The King County Metro also paid homage to the dog. "We are so sorry to hear of Eclipse's passing. She was a Seattle icon. The entire Metro team sends our love, she will be missed." One Twitter response read, "Heartbreaking to hear this news such a sweet dog that the people of our city grew to love. Our hearts go out to the dad, we know the pain of losing our own dogs, our partners in life. Rest easy Eclipse we have it on the DL there's a bus to the park in heaven." Another person wrote, "This makes me so sad. Even the picture of her riding the bus by herself made my heart break. I saved the pic on my camera roll 3 years ago because Eclipse was so special. RIP beautiful girl, may you never have to ride alone again." "Godspeed, Eclipse! May you find your best ride to Rainbow Bridge, I have a few babies ready to welcome you. You changed some hearts to be tolerant & possibly even got them to love in your travels, you deserve angel wings," a heartbroken fan said. "This makes me so sad. Even the picture of her riding the bus by herself made my heart break. I saved the pic on my camera roll 3 years ago because Eclipse was so special. RIP beautiful girl, may you never have to ride alone again." a person said.

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