Here's just a glimpse at the variety of dangerous predicaments pets can get themselves into. Veterinary Pet Insurance Founder/CEO and DVM Jack Stephens reminds readers that while some of these claims are humorous in retrospect, they were real emergencies for the pets and their owners. 1- Chilly Dog With guests on the way and meal preparation in high gear, no one noticed Rex, the wily Yorkshire Terrier climb into the refrigerator. By the time he was discovered, the well-chilled pooch had managed to nosh half the family's holiday ham. Diagnosis: Pancreatitis from overindulgence and Hypothermia from excess refrigeration. 2- Sheer Madness Max the Italian Greyhound hit a snag when he ate an entire pair of pantyhose (taupe, control top, reinforced toe, tall). Diagnosis: Gastrointestinal obstruction. Other likely, but ruled-out, diagnoses: Intestinal perforation, indigestion. Case note: Max re-offended a few months later with yet another pair of pantyhose. 3- Pane and Suffering What's a dog to do? Cora, an Alaskan Malamute, was walking along minding her own business, when she saw a cat sunning itself in a house window. To any normal, red-blooded American pup, this is an invitation to playtime. Diagnosis: Severe lacerations from crashing through the window. 4- Nailed Enu, a Yorkshire Terrier, took sleeping at the feet of his master a step too far when he climbed into his owner's work boot for a little snooze. Not realizing his puppy was in there, the owner tried to pull on his boot. Diagnosis: Scratched cornea from owner's toenail. 5- One Tough Chew Cabot, the Beagle wasn't sure: Was it a chew toy or was it a rawhide? Neither-it was a metal pipe. Diagnosis: Broken jaw. Source: Veterinary Pet Insurance, 2000