Fall 2022

Hambone history: Jack Russell saves owner from home intruder

One small dog, an incredible “tail” of bravery

If you’ve been following our Hambone Awards for some time, you probably remember Kismet.

Jack Russel_1Back in 2016, this energetic Jack Russell terrier puppy intervened during a violent home invasion that left both him and his owner seriously hurt. Here’s their story:

“I laid down to rest and Kismet jumped up on the bed to join me,” Salt Lake City resident Shu remembers. It was a day like any other, and she had just returned home from work in the mid-afternoon. Tired from a long shift, she decided to take a short nap with Kismet until her husband, Kase, got home.

“We fell asleep together until I heard the front door creak open. I thought it was just my husband coming home, so I did not get up.”

A few seconds after the door closed, Kismet began to growl. Shu tried to calm her pooch down, until she saw a strange man with a wooden bat and a bandana covering his face.

“I couldn’t believe what was happening,” said Shu. “At first I thought someone was playing a joke on me, but then he started hitting me and I was fighting for my life.”

As Shu tried to defend herself, Kismet leapt into action and started attacking the intruder’s legs and arms. The robber then pulled a knife and stabbed Shu, who pretended to pass out.

The attacker left the room—but Kismet was not going to back down. As the invader struggled to fight off the mighty mutt, his mom ran out the back door. The attacker chased after her but was held off just long enough so she could get away. Kismet was seriously wounded during the battle.

Shu ran to a nearby business where she was helped by the employees. Witnesses to the chase called the police and got the license plate on the getaway car. The assailant was arrested within a few hours of the attack.

Once she was out of harm’s way, Shu turned her thoughts to her brave pooch. “All I could think about in the ambulance was Kismet,” Shu says. “I just wanted to know if he was going to be okay.”

Fortunately, Kase returned home moments after the attack. He rushed to the hospital to be with Shu and frantically called friends to get Kismet to the veterinary hospital.

Despite their serious injuries, both Shu and Kismet made full recoveries and returned to living their lives without fear. Shu is thankful for the aid she’s received from her community and the pet insurance support she received from Nationwide.

“I’m just relieved that we both made it,” said Shu. “The help we received from everyone was amazing. The community helped pay for Kismet’s daycare costs, and I can’t thank the veterinarians enough for saving his life. Having Kismet insured through Nationwide helped tremendously with the costs as well.”

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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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

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