( MNN.com ) -- Pets do the darnedest things , but that 's why we love them . For every shoe that my dog Lulu has destroyed , she also has provided hours of much-needed cuddle time . I still miss those green suede pumps she ate -- and it seems that I 'm not alone in lamenting lost inventory . Each year , Veterinary Pet Insurance compiles a list of the unusual ingestion claims for its annual Hambone Award . The dubious title honors a dog that got stuck in its owner 's refrigerator and ate an entire Thanksgiving ham before being discovered . Here are a few notable items consumed last year . In some cases , names have been omitted to protect the guilty . 100 rocks . Harley the pug secured the 2011 Hambone Award after consuming 100 rocks during his stay at a veterinary boarding facility . His owner knew there was a problem when the pooch kept pooping rocks . A visit to the emergency clinic led to the discovery of pebbles clogging Harley 's pipes . He passed the rocks without requiring surgery , earning a bronze ham-shaped trophy , treats and an emergency pet kit . It 's a good reminder to create your own pet first-aid kit , complete with the number to your nearest after-hours veterinarian . Dead porcupine . Sometimes dogs like to veer off the beaten trail and find their own adventures . That did n't disturb pet owner Brian Handwerk until his dog Scooby started throwing up quills , as in potentially fatal porcupine quills . Next time , we recommend stocking up on Scooby snacks . Package of fluorescent light bulbs . Compact fluorescent bulbs require much less energy than their incandescent counterparts . But consuming a package of these green bulbs is n't so bright . MNN : 5 ways to protect your pet and your wallet from costly vet bills . Deer antlers . ASPCA dog trainer Kristen Collins recommends investing in a variety of chew toys to promote good dental health and prevent destructive behavior . Even though deer antlers have gained popularity as `` green '' chew toys , she says that pets should be monitored during playtime . `` Supervise your dog really closely the first few times that she is chewing anything , '' she warns , because broken pieces can present a choking hazard . They also can be dangerous if ingested . A cassette tape . When pet owner William Yunker discovered broken shards of plastic , he knew there was a problem . Dangling under his pointer puppy Rudy 's tail , he discovered evidence of a tune gone horribly wrong . Rudy had managed to eat a cassette tape â€ ” and the evidence was working its way out the other end . Stringy objects such as yarn , shoestrings or cassette tapes can become potentially fatal as they become entangled in a pet 's intestinal tract . Gastrointestinal foreign body issues rank among the top five preventable medical conditions treated at the ASPCA 'S Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital in New York . While Rudy 's case did not require surgery , it serves as the perfect cautionary tale to watch pets around bite-size items . Also , maybe it 's time for Yunker to try a digital music format . MNN : How to make pet shampoo at home . Metal hanger . Boredom is a common cause for destruction , says animal trainer Kristen Collins of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals . Mental and physical exercise can keep dogs and cats on the path to good behavior . She recommends five to 10 minutes of playtime for frisky felines . Interactive toys also keep pets mentally stimulated . Cellphone case . Train pets to avoid potentially dangerous items . Collins is a proponent of the `` drop it '' command . If your dog has something it its mouth , say `` Drop it '' and show a high-value treat . As soon as your dog drops the item , offer praise and give the treat . Repeat this step a few times before moving on to the next stage of saying the command without showing the treat every time . Since most cats do n't respond to bribery , Collins says it 's important to be vigilant about keeping their environment safe . Remove items they are likely to find chew-worthy and stock up on cat grass or other alternatives . Dental retainer . If it 's small enough for pets to swallow , it should be placed far beyond their reach . Foreign body ingestion can require costly â€ ” and preventable â€ ” emergency surgery . © Copyright 2011 Mother Nature Network .
Each year , Veterinary Pet Magazine compiles a list of the strange things dogs experience . The winner receives the annual Dog Award for the weirdest thing . In all seriousness , train your dog to avoid eating dangerous food .