In the quiet towns of Sayreville and Kinnelon, New Jersey, two dogs are now in the national spotlight—not for heroism or agility, but for the kind of peculiar misadventures that earn a nod from the annual Hambone Award, a recognition presented by Nationwide for the most unusual pet insurance claim of the year.
The first tale hails from Sayreville, where a golden retriever named Boone learned a painful lesson in patience—and poultry. On what began as a sunny afternoon perfect for grilling, Boone’s owner, Amanda S., was transferring cooked chicken from the grill to a plate when one piece slipped through the tongs and hit the ground. Boone, never one to pass up a fresh-off-the-grill opportunity, lunged for it.
Amanda remembers that chicken was on the menu, and her canine shadow was happy to follow her. “Once the chicken was clearly done, I started to transfer it to the plate,” she says. “And it was during that process that one of the pieces of chicken fell off the grill.”
It wasn’t long before panic replaced the peaceful barbecue vibes. Boone had snatched the chicken bone whole and began choking immediately.
Amanda leapt into action, reaching into his mouth to dislodge the obstruction. Though the bone was removed, Boone continued making hoarse sounds, indicating something wasn’t quite right.
Amanda rushed him to the vet, where it was discovered he had not only choked on the bone, but also burned the inside of his mouth on the hot meat.
The good news: Boone made a full recovery with anti-inflammatory medication, fluids, and some rest. The better news: Amanda’s pet insurance covered the cost of his treatment, offering a safety net when she needed it most.
Boone’s journey from rescue pup to devoted companion is one of warmth and timing. Amanda recalls how the young dog was delivered right to her doorstep, a surprise she described as a “puppy-package.”
Their bond deepened quickly during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. With stay-at-home orders in place, Amanda and Boone spent countless hours together—training, bonding, and simply enjoying each other’s company.
“He’s just so happy all the time,” Amanda says. “He’s teaching me how to find joy in the little things.”
That joy, however, now comes with a few precautions. Amanda no longer allows Boone near the grill when barbecue season rolls around. The close call left her with an unforgettable lesson and newfound appreciation for the support provided by her pet insurance policy.
Across the state in Kinnelon, a different kind of creature encounter earned another dog a Hambone nomination.
Hazel, a striking Dane-St. Bernard mix with a gentle soul and a big heart, had been monitoring a curious hole in the family’s backyard for days. One afternoon, curiosity turned to chaos.
Hazel dove at the hole, only to discover it was the entrance to a groundhog burrow. The groundhog, apparently not in the mood for company, responded with a bite. Though Hazel initially showed no signs of injury, later that day, a trail of blood spots led her owners, John A. and Jessica T., to a puncture wound on her paw.
“I looked up groundhog teeth online,” John says, “and it matched perfectly.”
Concerned about infection and potential exposure to disease, the couple brought Hazel to the vet, where she was treated and sent home with a clean bill of health. Once again, Nationwide stepped in to cover eligible veterinary costs, allowing the family to focus on recovery rather than finances.
Hazel, who was once the only dog in the home, now shares her space with an extra-large shepherd-husky mix and a rotating cast of foster pets. The bite incident hasn’t dampened her love for animals—just her interest in mysterious backyard holes.
For John and Jessica, the decision to purchase pet insurance came after a costly experience with another dog. “Now, everyone’s covered,” John says. “It gives us peace of mind for all the animals we have. We never have to ask, ‘Can we afford to take them to the vet?’”
That peace of mind has translated into action. Jessica adds, “It used to be like, ‘Should we take them to the vet?’ Now, it’s more like, ‘We might as well take them.’”
From hot chicken mishaps to groundhog skirmishes, Boone and Hazel have certainly earned their spots among this year’s Hambone Award nominees.
While neither dog sought the limelight, their misadventures have brought attention to the unexpected—and often humorous—ways our pets find trouble, and how preparedness can turn panic into relief.