Dog snacks on lingerie

Anything that causes an emergency visit to the vet is serious. But some emergencies also leave you scratching your head. Veterinary Pet Insurance has started keeping track of some of the more unusual claims that come in, picking a monthly "winner." At the end of the year, the public can vote for the goofiest claim, with the winner getting the Hambone Award. (It's named in honor of a dog that got stuck in a refrigerator — huh? — and ate an entire Thanksgiving ham while waiting to be rescued.)

The August nominee for the Hambone Award is Crawford, a 2-year-old Brittany spaniel who was rushed to the vet after eating the gel inserts from his owner's bra. The story has a happy ending: There was no blockage, and after Crawford went on a special diet the problem passed.

Honorable mentions for August included a dog who needed antibiotics after drinking from a portable restroom that had been knocked over and a Lab who ate a 2-pound chocolate cake.

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It has crossed the mind of every pet owner: What does little Murphy do while I'm at work?

Now you can find out.

The Pet's Eye View Camera by Uncle Milton is a lightweight, water-resistant digital camera that attaches to your cat or dog's collar. It uses a built-in timer to snap photos that you can download to your Mac or PC, enabling you to see firsthand what your favorite fuzzball does in your absence ($39.99 at eToys.com, USB cord included).