It's time for us to be more like Eclipse

Did you see the story this week of Eclipse the dog? Seems he hopped the bus himself when his owner took too long finishing his cigarette. Rode to the downtown Seattle dog park where the driver let him off, and he had a blast meeting fellow canine friends.

It didn’t take his owner long to figure out Eclipse — a Labrador-Mastiff mix — didn’t need him along on every trip. So he bought him a bus ticket and sent him off. Eclipse sits in a seat and rides like everybody else. Fellow passengers think he’s great.

The bus drivers know him and make sure he gets on and off where he’s supposed to. The police gave the all clear as long as nobody objects. And so far no one has.

Eclipse spends a couple hours playing and exercising. Gets along with everybody. Brings his own brand of cheer.

The story ends, “Let’s all be dog.”

Now that’s something to think about. Eclipse is confident — and independent — but he also knows he needs others to make his life work.

He’s out for a good time. The kind of good time that doesn’t hurt anybody else.

He’s genuinely nice to other dogs — and their people counterparts. He can be trusted.

He knows his boundaries and accepts them.

Eclipse thinks outside the box, which for him equates to thinking inside the bus. His goal is the dog park and he’ll find an honest way.

He can spot an opportunity. And bring in others. So that everyone feels good about being on the team. Without being aware of it — which is how it’s meant to be — he inspires. No braggart stuff. No showing off. No petty jabs.

He just carries on in his steady friendly way — doesn’t make life a competition.

You can’t read about Eclipse without liking the guy.

Which is why it makes perfect people sense to be more dog.