uhm....not really since it was a real spider that killed a real dog. you can make as metaphorical as you want chuckles, but you can say it was nothing more since it started as a physical manifestation. I know that probably doesn't interest you since it wasn't made out of concrete, but c'mon...

Gyehh.

Dutch Elm disease is the manifested guilt of the first immigrants to New York for not bringing more of their home country's easy-swinging ways. While dandelions don't actually exist in North America, but are the tummy aches of the world's children from eating too much sugar in the summer time.

This is kind of fun. I want your job, Charles.

Not to be weird, but surely there's a way to tell? And unless the dog had a stress-induced heart attack, I don't think so. They're not poisonous.