What my dog dug up in the garden scared me at first
It all started on a calm morning, like many others. My dog Bruno was happily running around the garden, running on the grass, still covered with dew. Nothing foreshadowed unusual anything.
When I approached the flower bed near the old stump, I noticed strange little balls of bright orange color.
At first I thought they were toys that the neighbors’ kids had accidentally abandoned. But when I saw a few more under the bench, by the fence, and next to the compost heap, I realized that this was no accident.
The balls were perfectly round, smooth and richly coloured. I thought they might be some kind of fruit or perhaps a special kind of mushroom. But why were there so many of them?
Before I could do anything, Bruno grabbed one of the balls and started chewing on it.
In a panic, I immediately shouted for him to spit it out – fortunately, he obeyed immediately. But fear had already taken hold of me: what if it was something poisonous?
I immediately called our vet. After listening to my story, he asked me to send a photo of the objects I found.
A few minutes later he called back and said that these were myxomycetes, or, as they are also called, “wolf’s milk.”
These are not exactly mushrooms or plants, but amazing organisms that often appear on rotting wood, especially after summer rains.
The veterinarian reassured me that these formations are not poisonous, although when crushed they can cause mild irritation of the skin or mucous membranes in sensitive people.
Relieved, but still cautious, I collected all the balls and threw them away from the house.
Since then, I have been carefully examining every corner of my garden.
You never know what nature might be hiding. And when you live with a curious pet like Bruno, it’s better to be on the safe side.
If you ever find something strange in your garden, don’t panic. Take a photo and consult a specialist.
Curiosity is a good thing as long as we remain vigilant, especially when our four-legged friends are around.
