When leaving your home, how to have yourself a dog day afternoon
Published 4:08 pm Monday, September 7, 2026
BY LAND
Sound Transit, which operates buses, Link Light Rail and Sounder Trains, currently welcomes dogs of all sizes as long as they are inside a carrier or container. Service animals are welcome, provided they’re under their handler’s control.
But stay tuned, last year the Sound Transit Board directed staff “to investigate the possibility of changing the pet policy, and that work is ongoing,” said Sound Transit spokesperson Henry Bendon. One item they may be considering — allowing well-behaved dogs on a leash to ride buses and light rail.
If you’ve got a dog and a carrier, consider a trip this summer to “Doggy Disneyland.” Take the Link 2 Line, which crosses Lake Washington via the I-90 floating bridge, to Redmond. You can catch the 2 Line at any Snohomish County or Seattle area station. Then hop off at the Marymoor Village Station in Redmond. From there, it’s a short walk to “Doggy Disneyland,” the 40-acre off-leash area at Marymoor Park. My rat terrier Viggo and I are planning a trip. Go Hound Transit!
Community Transit: Pets that are not in a crate are required to wear a leash and muzzle that covers the pet’s mouth and is secured behind the head. All other small animals must be in a carrier. Animals cannot occupy a seat, block the aisle or bother other passengers. Owners must have complete control of their animal. Service animals are welcome.
BY SEA
Walk on a Washington State Ferry with your well-behaved pup and enjoy the ride. Follow these rules, which took effect July 1, and you’re good to sail. Dogs must be on a leash at all times. They are allowed on the vehicle decks, in the outdoor passenger areas and marked areas inside the passenger cabins. However, pets are not allowed in food service areas. You can pass through the restricted food service areas but take the most direct route and don’t stop. Pets aren’t allowed in the galley or on passenger seats or tables. Service animals are welcome in all areas. Cats and other pets can sail too, but must be in a carrier. You can learn more about the ferry system’s new pet policy at: tinyurl.com/4j8p7m4s
MAKE IT A DOG DAY AFTERNOON
Stretch your legs and visit a dog-friendly park or one of the region’s off-leash areas. Locally, we like Wiggly Field at the Sky River Park in Monroe; the off-leash area at Willis Tucker Park in Snohomish; Strawberry Fields for Rover in Marysville; Tails and Trails Dog Park in Mukilteo and OLAE! off-leash beach in Edmonds. It’s a dog-meet-dog world!
Contact writer Janice Podsada and her dog Viggo at jpod2024@gmail.com
This story originally appeared in Sound & Summit magazine, The Daily Herald’s quarterly publication. Explore Snohomish and Island counties with each issue. Subscribe and receive four issues for $18. Call 425-339-3200 or go to soundsummitmagazine.com
