--- title: Meet our Hambone Award nominees! description: Nationwide created the Hambone Award® to honor the strangest, most hair-raising pet insurance claim of the year. Meet our 2022 nominees. image: https://companionpetmagazine.com/hubfs/MicrosoftTeams-image%20(17).png --- [![Nationwide Logo](https://companionpetmagazine.com/hubfs/Image%201@2x.png)](https://companionpetmagazine.com/) ![The Companion Magazine Logo](https://companionpetmagazine.com/hubfs/commpasslogo.jpg) - [The Companion Magazine](https://companionpetmagazine.com) - [Previous Issues](https://companionpetmagazine.com/issues/previous) - Topics - [Member stories](https://companionpetmagazine.com/tag/member-stories) - [Research data](https://companionpetmagazine.com/tag/research-data) - [Pet care](https://companionpetmagazine.com/tag/pet-care) - [Extra treats](https://companionpetmagazine.com/tag/extra-treats) - [Promotions](https://companionpetmagazine.com/promotions) - [Member Perks](https://companionpetmagazine.com/member-perks) [Extra treats](https://companionpetmagazine.com/topic/extra-treats) # Meet our Hambone Award nominees! Meet the contenders for the most unusual claim of the year ![Picture of By Nationwide](https://companionpetmagazine.com/hubfs/NWLogos_Vert_NW_3C.svg) [By Nationwide](https://companionpetmagazine.com/author/about-us) - - - Every year, Nationwide® receives millions of pet insurance claims for everything from the mundane to the truly unusual. Nationwide created the Hambone Award® to honor the strangest, most hair-raising pet insurance claim of the year. Each story we highlight is meant to exemplify the strength of our pets and their pet parents, and to spotlight the amazing skills of their trusted veterinarians. It’s also a way to highlight all the things that can happen—and have happened—and the importance of being prepared. This year, our team searched through more than 3 million claims to find our nominees. ## Why is it called the “Hambone” Award? The Hambone Award is named in honor of a Nationwide-insured dog who got stuck in a refrigerator and ate an entire holiday ham while waiting for someone to find him. The dog was eventually found, with a licked-clean ham bone and a mild case of hypothermia. Since then, we’ve awarded the grand prize to twelve pets, including a canyon-diving German shepherd, a rock-pooping pug and many others. ## How to vote Voting for the Hambone Award winner is open to the public and takes place October 4-17. You can cast one vote per day for your favorite nominee until voting closes. Winner to be announced on October 19th. ## Meet this year’s Hambone Award nominees Casper: Tumbled in the dryer ![](https://companionpetmagazine.com/hubfs/8958D%20CRS_HB22_Casper%20Social_WEB-jpg.jpeg) Russell: Broke teeth on the stairs ![](https://companionpetmagazine.com/hubfs/8958D%20CRS_HB22_Russell%20Social_WEB-jpg-1.jpeg) Nines: Stuck in a bracelet ![](https://companionpetmagazine.com/hubfs/8958D%20CRS_HB22_Nines%20Social_WEB-jpg.jpeg) Rafa: Trapped in a water drain ![](https://companionpetmagazine.com/hubfs/8958D%20CRS_HB22_Rafa%20Social_WEB-jpg.jpeg) Rocket: Ate an entire tennis ball ![8958D CRS\_HB22\_Rocket Social\_WEB](https://companionpetmagazine.com/hs-fs/hubfs/8958D%20CRS_HB22_Rocket%20Social_WEB.jpg?width=460&height=460&name=8958D%20CRS_HB22_Rocket%20Social_WEB.jpg) Rue: Treat stuck up nose ![8958D CRS\_HB22\_Rue Social\_WEB](https://companionpetmagazine.com/hs-fs/hubfs/8958D%20CRS_HB22_Rue%20Social_WEB.jpg?width=460&height=460&name=8958D%20CRS_HB22_Rue%20Social_WEB.jpg) Shadow: Battled a raccoon ![8958D CRS\_HB22\_Shadow Social\_WEB](https://companionpetmagazine.com/hs-fs/hubfs/8958D%20CRS_HB22_Shadow%20Social_WEB.jpg?width=460&height=460&name=8958D%20CRS_HB22_Shadow%20Social_WEB.jpg) Dublin: Stung by a man o' war ![8958D CRS\_HB22\_Dublin Social\_WEB](https://companionpetmagazine.com/hs-fs/hubfs/8958D%20CRS_HB22_Dublin%20Social_WEB.jpg?width=460&height=460&name=8958D%20CRS_HB22_Dublin%20Social_WEB.jpg) Rex: Wishbone stuck in throat ![8958D CRS\_HB22\_Rex Social\_WEB](https://companionpetmagazine.com/hs-fs/hubfs/8958D%20CRS_HB22_Rex%20Social_WEB.jpg?width=460&height=460&name=8958D%20CRS_HB22_Rex%20Social_WEB.jpg) Orangina: Covered in foam insulation ![8958D CRS\_HB22\_Orangina Social\_WEB](https://companionpetmagazine.com/hs-fs/hubfs/8958D%20CRS_HB22_Orangina%20Social_WEB.jpg?width=460&height=460&name=8958D%20CRS_HB22_Orangina%20Social_WEB.jpg) Ellie: Tail caught in door ![8958D CRS\_HB22\_Ellie Social\_WEB](https://companionpetmagazine.com/hs-fs/hubfs/8958D%20CRS_HB22_Ellie%20Social_WEB.jpg?width=460&height=460&name=8958D%20CRS_HB22_Ellie%20Social_WEB.jpg) Maeve: Toy stuck around jaw ![8958D CRS\_HB22\_Maeve Social\_WEB](https://companionpetmagazine.com/hs-fs/hubfs/8958D%20CRS_HB22_Maeve%20Social_WEB.jpg?width=460&height=460&name=8958D%20CRS_HB22_Maeve%20Social_WEB.jpg) *All nominated pets have recovered and received reimbursements for eligible veterinary expenses from Nationwide® pet insurance.* Follow us on social **@NationwidePet** to learn more about the nominees. Then go to [**petinsurance.com/hamboneaward**](http://www.petinsurance.com/hamboneaward) to vote for your favorite! ![](https://companionpetmagazine.com/hubfs/AdobeStock_205702776%20(1800x1000).jpg) ### Enjoy Nationwide Perks The Nationwide Perks program introduces great deals and discounts to pamper your pets and more. Amplify your savings and enhance the wellbeing of yourself and those you love. [Get the app](https://downloadapp.nationwide.com/PKX4/ccd02a75?c=Marketing&af_c_id=Perks&af_adset=Pet&af_adset_id=Perks%20Ad%20Apr&af_ad_id=NWM-0050&deep_link_value=perksandrewards) ![](https://companionpetmagazine.com/hubfs/Spring%202023/Spring_LPThumb_Intro.jpg) ##### Add-a-pet Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.  [Enroll a new pet](https://companionpetmagazine.com/issues/fall-2022/my.petinsurance.com) ![](https://companionpetmagazine.com/hubfs/Spring%202023/Spring_LPThumb_Intro.jpg) ##### Add-a-pet Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.  [Enroll a new pet](https://companionpetmagazine.com/issues/fall-2022/my.petinsurance.com) ![](https://companionpetmagazine.com/hubfs/Spring%202023/Spring_LPThumb_Intro.jpg) ##### Add-a-pet Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.  [Enroll a new pet](https://companionpetmagazine.com/issues/fall-2022/my.petinsurance.com) ![](https://companionpetmagazine.com/hubfs/Spring%202023/Spring_LPThumb_Intro.jpg) ##### Add-a-pet Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.  [Enroll a new pet](https://companionpetmagazine.com/issues/fall-2022/my.petinsurance.com) ![](https://companionpetmagazine.com/hubfs/Spring%202023/Spring_LPThumb_Intro.jpg) ##### Add-a-pet Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.  [Enroll a new pet](https://companionpetmagazine.com/issues/fall-2022/my.petinsurance.com) ![](https://companionpetmagazine.com/hubfs/Spring%202023/Spring_LPThumb_Intro.jpg) ##### Add-a-pet Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.  [Enroll a new pet](https://companionpetmagazine.com/issues/fall-2022/my.petinsurance.com) ![](https://companionpetmagazine.com/hubfs/Spring%202023/Spring_LPThumb_Intro.jpg) ##### Add-a-pet Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.  [Enroll a new pet](https://companionpetmagazine.com/issues/fall-2022/my.petinsurance.com) ![](https://companionpetmagazine.com/hubfs/Spring%202023/Spring_LPThumb_Intro.jpg) ##### Add-a-pet Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.  [Enroll a new pet](https://companionpetmagazine.com/issues/fall-2022/my.petinsurance.com) ![](https://companionpetmagazine.com/hubfs/Spring%202023/Spring_LPThumb_Intro.jpg) ##### Add-a-pet Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.  [Enroll a new pet](https://companionpetmagazine.com/issues/fall-2022/my.petinsurance.com) ![](https://companionpetmagazine.com/hubfs/Spring%202023/Spring_LPThumb_Intro.jpg) ##### Add-a-pet Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.  [Enroll a new pet](https://companionpetmagazine.com/issues/fall-2022/my.petinsurance.com) ![](https://companionpetmagazine.com/hubfs/Spring%202023/Spring_LPThumb_Intro.jpg) ##### Add-a-pet Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.  [Enroll a new pet](https://companionpetmagazine.com/issues/fall-2022/my.petinsurance.com) ![](https://companionpetmagazine.com/hubfs/Spring%202023/Spring_LPThumb_Intro.jpg) ##### Add-a-pet Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.  [Enroll a new pet](https://companionpetmagazine.com/issues/fall-2022/my.petinsurance.com) ![](https://companionpetmagazine.com/hubfs/Spring%202023/Spring_LPThumb_Intro.jpg) ##### Add-a-pet Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.  [Enroll a new pet](https://companionpetmagazine.com/issues/fall-2022/my.petinsurance.com) [Fall 2022](https://companionpetmagazine.com/topic/fall-2022) ## Check out some of our other posts! ### [2025 pet gift guide: Best picks for the holidays](https://companionpetmagazine.com/2025-pet-gift-guide) Celebrate the season with gifts that combine health, sustainability, and fun for your ... ### [Making a paw-sitive impact at Nationwide Children’s Hospital](https://companionpetmagazine.com/issues/holiday-2025/making-a-paw-sitive-impact-at-nationwide-childrens-hospital) Dogs are our steadfast companions through thick and thin. They’re also good for our ... ### [Letter from the Pet-itor: New Year’s edition](https://companionpetmagazine.com/issues/holiday-2025/letter-from-the-pet-itor) Can you hear the first notes of Auld Lang Syne ringing in your head already? 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Third party marks are the property of their respective owners. ©2024 Nationwide. ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "VideoObject", "contentUrl" : "https://9062470.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/9062470/Butterfly%20Paws.mp4", "dateModified" : "2025-12-02T23:16:58.907Z", "duration" : "PT2M43S", "height" : 1080, "name" : "Butterfly Paws", "thumbnailUrl" : "https://9062470.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/9062470/Butterfly%20Paws.mp4/medium.jpg", "uploadDate" : "2025-12-02T23:16:43.638Z", "width" : 1920 } ```