One day I started noticing strange, bright orange balls appearing in different corners of my yard. They were near the fence, next to an old tree stump, and even in my flower bed. At first, I thought they might be toys, berries, or something birds had dropped.
But every day there seemed to be more of them, and they looked too unusual to ignore.
Then one day I saw something that made my heart stop — my dog was chewing one of those orange balls.
I immediately called the veterinarian, worried that my dog had eaten some poisonous fungus or chemical. The vet asked me to take a photo and send it.
A few minutes later, he called me back and explained what it was.
Those strange orange balls were actually a type of slime mold, often called “wolf’s milk.” It usually grows on old tree stumps, decaying wood, or damp soil. When young, it forms small swollen balls that can look bright orange or pink.
It’s not considered highly toxic, but it’s definitely not something humans or pets should eat. When crushed, it can release a milky substance that may irritate skin or mucous membranes.
Fortunately, my dog was completely fine. Still, I decided not to take any chances. I collected the strange growths and removed them from the yard.
Sometimes the strangest things in the garden are simply unusual parts of nature—but it’s always better to be cautious, especially when pets are around.
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