'Escape Artist' Dog Rides Bus From Seattle To Renton

RENTON, WA - A friendly dog with a reputation for being an "escape artist" rode a bus from near downtown Seattle to Renton early Wednesday morning. With help from Renton Animal Control and a few Facebook sleuths, police were able to track down the Alaskan malamute's owner quickly.

Whiskey escaped from his Eastlake home around 1 a.m. Wednesday, owner John Makaratad told Patch. Makaratad said Whiskey is extremely smart, and knows how to open sliding doors.

"He likes a ride, so I guess he saw the bus door open, he got on it," Makaratad said.

When Makaratad noticed Whiskey was missing, he posted an ad on Craigslist. At the same time, Renton Animal Control officers posted a photo of Whiskey on Facebook. Thanks in part to a distinctive bump on Whiskey's head, followers of the animal control Facebook page were able to find Makaratad's Craigslist ad.

Whiskey isn't the only local pup who knows how to ride King County Metro. Several years ago, the world met Eclipse, a black Labrador-Mastiff who would take the RapidRide D line bus all by herself to her favorite dog park in Belltown.

Reached Wednesday afternoon, Makaratad didn't have all the details about Whiskey's bus ride. He was on his way to Renton to pick up the dog. Like any good owner, Makaratad knows his dog's strengths and weaknesses.

"Malamutes are escape artists," he said.

Image courtesy Renton Animal Control