A woman from Manchester believed her miniature dachshund had simply become unusually clingy, but the dog's behaviour turned out to be a life-saving warning sign. Meg Jones, 26, initially dismissed her pet Samson's constant need to lie on her stomach as mere affection, but later realised the four-year-old dog was sensing her acute leukaemia.
The Beginning of Symptoms
Meg first experienced a deep, blunt pain in her left leg, which her GP diagnosed as sciatica. However, the pain worsened over time, and she noticed Samson becoming increasingly needy. 'He likes his space, he can be affectionate but only when he wants,' Meg explained. 'At all times he wanted to sit across from me or lie on my belly. If I was lying on the sofa, instead of lying next to me he had to be on me at all times. It got to the point my partner would have to pick him up off me because I was tired and needed space. It was obsessive.'
Diagnosis and Treatment
Two months after the initial leg pain, a rash appeared on Meg's left leg. She called NHS 111 and was referred to Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester, where a blood test revealed acute leukaemia in June 2024. Acute leukaemia is a fast-progressing cancer of the white blood cells requiring immediate treatment. Meg underwent chemotherapy and entered remission in October 2024, but the cancer returned in July 2025. She then received CAR T-cell therapy in November 2025 and is now cancer-free.
Samson's Behaviour Explained
Reflecting on her dog's actions, Meg said everything 'clicked into place' after the diagnosis. 'I just thought he was clingy, your mind never goes to something as extreme as cancer. When I told the nurse at the hospital, she said with tumours they find that cats and dogs sit near where the tumour is. But with blood cancer it is everywhere, 100% he could smell it. They assumed it was from around April when I first noticed leg pain.'
Other Warning Signs
Meg experienced additional symptoms including night sweats, eczema-like rashes, and an unusual reaction to alcohol. She would feel drunk after just one and a half drinks, with a strange sensation and severe hangovers. 'I could taste blood and had a rash on my elbow that was really itchy, but I thought it was just eczema,' she said. 'Night sweats were really bad too. I went to the GP a couple of times and when I came home from work, I saw a rash on my leg.'
Life After Cancer
Meg now struggles socially due to the cognitive effects of treatment, such as losing her train of thought or struggling to find words. She uses online content to urge others to seek medical advice for unusual symptoms. 'Initially I was shocked. I didn't cry until I called my mum, because I was in such disbelief. I didn't actually believe it was happening. It's a massive switch to what life was. There is so much internal damage heavy treatment can do. I find it hard to adjust socially. If you think something is wrong, keep advocating for yourself.'
