I Felt a Wave of Fear Over What My Dog Dug Up in the Garden

Why you should never ignore strange discoveries — especially with curious pets around.

It started out like any ordinary morning.

The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a golden glow over the dew-covered grass. My dog Bruno was doing his usual morning zoomies around the garden, tail wagging, nose twitching, ears flapping as he sprinted from flower bed to compost heap.

Everything was calm, peaceful — until it wasn’t.

Strange Orange Spheres in the Garden

As I strolled toward the flower bed near an old stump, something bright caught my eye.

Tiny orange balls, almost glowing in the morning light, were scattered near the roots. At first, I thought the neighbor’s kids had tossed over some rubber bouncy balls. But when I spotted more — under the bench, beside the fence, even near the compost heap — I knew this wasn’t just playful litter.

These objects were perfectly round, smooth, and richly colored. They didn’t look like fruit, but they didn’t quite resemble mushrooms either. And there were so many of them.

Then, before I could stop him, Bruno grabbed one in his mouth.

Panic Mode: Activated

I panicked. “Drop it, Bruno!” I shouted, heart racing. Luckily, he did. He’s a good boy that way.

But the fear had already taken hold: What if it was poisonous? What had he just bitten into? I snapped a few quick photos and immediately called our vet.

The Mystery Revealed: Myxomycetes (a.k.a. “Wolf’s Milk”)

After a brief wait, the vet called back and calmly explained:

“They’re called myxomycetes — or more commonly, wolf’s milk slime mold.”

Wait… slime mold?

Apparently, these fascinating organisms aren’t quite mushrooms, plants, or animals. They’re something in between — primitive organisms that often appear on rotting wood or in moist, shady spots, especially after rain.

Despite the eerie name, wolf’s milk isn’t poisonous. The vet reassured me that while they might look strange, they’re harmless to pets and humans — though crushing them can sometimes cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Nature Is Full of Surprises

Relieved but still cautious, I carefully collected every orange sphere I could find and tossed them far from the house. Since then, I’ve made it a habit to do regular garden inspections — especially after heavy rain or if Bruno starts sniffing around a little too excitedly.

Nature is beautiful, mysterious, and occasionally weird.

But when you share your home with a curious, four-legged explorer, it pays to stay vigilant.