Ed Eames: May this dog lover rest in furry peace
By Phyllis DeGioia
October 26, 2009
Ed Eames died Sunday morning, survived by his wonderful wife, Toni, his guide dog Latrell, and a crew of pets. Both blind, Ed and Toni have always been tireless advocates of the rights of people with disabilities, with a special emphasis on service dogs.
Ed lost his vision in his 40s from an eye disease; Toni was blind at birth. They met in middle age through their advocacy efforts and found a match made in heaven. I met them at a couple of the Cat Writers of America’s writing conferences. Always accompanied by two golden guide dogs, I was drawn to them like a dog to a holiday ham. Ed was a New York ham with a Ph.D. in anthropology, which he said meant you could study any darn thing you wanted and call it academics. His love of dogs and his vision issues created a forceful match for advocacy.
They were founders of the International Association of Assistance Dog Partners , which is described as “A non-profit, cross-disability organization representing people partnered with guide, hearing and service dogs.” Part of their work there was to travel to veterinary schools and talk to students about the unusual medical needs of service dogs. I’ve seen them give that talk twice, and it was fascinating. Together they helped create and then sustain an emergency veterinary care fund for treating assistance dog whose human partner could not afford the treatment. Their columns in Dog World and Off Lead magazines won writing awards. They even made a video called “Partners in Independence.”
People with service dogs have much to thank Ed for, as do people with disabilities who have no need of a service dog. I will truly miss Ed’s joie di vivre, his love of good food, his witty conversation, and his vast range of knowledge. My thoughts now are with Toni, his beloved partner in all parts of his life since they met, and for Latrell, his guide dog, who will feel just as lost without Ed as will Toni.
I always enjoyed reading their column in Dog World.
It is a very sad day for assistance dogs and those whose lives are touched by them.
Comment by retrieverman — October 26, 2009 @ 6:42 am
I met and served as Ed’s “elbow” at a conference, and I so enjoyed the energetic conversations with Ed and Toni. I was never so honored to scoop poop as I was those few days. My thoughts remain with Toni and their beautiful tribe of animals.
Comment by LindaR — October 26, 2009 @ 7:46 am
It’s a great loss. I will miss Ed dearly.
Comment by Kim Thornton — October 26, 2009 @ 9:49 am
I am stunned by this news. Ed will be missed. He was a gentle soul. My condolences to Toni. They were truly partners for life.
Comment by Darlene Arden, CABC — October 27, 2009 @ 1:13 am
RIP, ED. The world is always diminished when we lose a dog-lover. Sounds like he was a remarkable man.
Comment by Dr. Tony Johnson — October 27, 2009 @ 4:42 am
I have Mr. Eames to thank for a lot of the things me and my service dog now take for granted. I never met him, but this surely is a huge loss.
Comment by thetroubleis — October 28, 2009 @ 10:20 pm