Hospitalized man reunited with his ‘best friend’

When traditional medicine had reached the limits of its ability to help 73-year-old James Watham recover, Baptist Health Corbin staff and Dr. Ray Hays decided it was time to look at a non-traditional remedy centered around man’s best friend. 

In addition to checking vital signs and administering prescribed medication, Hays left an order for visits by Watham’s dog, Bubba.

Hospital staff, led by Chief Nursing Officer Kimberly Probus, and officials from the Knox-Whitley Animal Shelter worked together and were able to fill the order Saturday morning.

Bubba, a 5-pound Chihuahua, had been in foster care through the animal shelter since Watham had been taken to Baptist Health Corbin around the beginning of September.

Hospital staff and officials from the shelter said both Watham and Bubba had the same issue. They missed one another and, as a result, were not eating.

“Poor fella has been debilitated and just depressed,” Probus said. “We figured out it was over the dog because he ask about him every day.”

With that in mind, Probus began a desperate search for the dog, which had been in multiple homes before he came to be with his current foster.

“We didn’t realize the dog was at someone’s house, also not eating because he was depressed,” she said.

Bubba was wrapped up in a blanket and taken up to Watham’s room Saturday morning where he was placed in his human’s lap.

Watham began crying as he petted and hugged Bubba. Bubba even took the time to lick Watham’s face before lying down in his lap.

Through Probus, Watham explained that someone had given Bubba to him about five years prior and, since then, Bubba had been everywhere with him.

“I wouldn’t take a million dollars for him,” Watham said of Bubba.

Probus told Watham that he had to eat so he could complete his recovery and go home with Bubba.

Official said that following the visit both Watham and Bubba’s appetites had improved.

 Myers said Watham and Bubba were separated, almost for good when Watham was brought to the hospital

The Ambulance Service officials called Myers explaining they had picked up Watham, who lived alone with his dog, and asking if the shelter could board the dog until Watham got out of the hospital.

Myers responded that the shelter could not do that and suggested getting hold of family member.

Watham’s daughter-in-law lives 600 miles away, so that was not a possibility.

Bubba was initially taken to veterinarian Dr. Mike Culver’s office where he was kept until he was placed with a friend of the family. 

“She ended up bringing him to the shelter because she felt like she didn’t have the love and attention that he needed at his age,” Myers said. “He came into the shelter and we got him right into foster care.”

Myers said she didn’t realize she had met Watham about four months prior when she went looking for one of the shelter dogs she had been fostering that had slipped through the fence and ran away.

The dog ended up at Watham’s trailer where he was taking care of it.

 “He was missing for about seven days,” Myers said, noting she was contacted by a friend who had seen a Facebook picture about the missing foster.

The friend pointed her to Watham’s trailer where she found the missing dog and had the opportunity to meet Watham and Bubba.

Myers said Bubba would remain in foster care until Watham is able to leave the hospital and take him back.

As to more visits, Probus said that has already been arranged.

“Bubba can visit anytime,” Probus said.