Golden Retriever Milo Bear Wins 2026 Hambone Award for Unusual Pet Insurance Claim
Milo Bear, a golden retriever from Nevada who was lost in the mountains near Lake Tahoe for 72 days before being found and reunited with his family, has won the 18th annual Hambone Award. The award is presented by Nationwide to recognize the most unusual pet insurance claim of the year. Milo disappeared during a Christmas Day trip when he was startled and ran up a ski trail. He remained missing until his microchip was detected at a shelter, after which he received veterinary care before returning home. Emily Tincher, Chief Veterinary Officer at Nationwide, praised Milo's story as an example of resilience and the importance of pet insurance. Nationwide hosted a public vote from August 3-14, 2026 to select the winner among nine finalists, with over 11,000 votes cast. The Hambone Award was named after another unusual claim involving a dog that ate an entire ham.
Topics: animal stories awards pet insurance