March 17, 2025

Dog Cancer Success Story: Refusing Chemo for Lilli | John Mcleish #278

Get inspired by Lilli’s True Tail dog cancer success story, her owner’s heartfelt decisions, and the lessons learned during a global pandemic.

Show Notes

Meet John Mcleish, a devoted dog lover who shares his journey with Lilli, his 12-year-old Cocker Spaniel diagnosed with adenocarcinoma. His heartfelt story begins with navigating her cancer treatment during the global pandemic—which presented unique challenges—from limited veterinary access to tough decisions about chemotherapy and surgery.

John opens up about:

Recognizing early signs of illness during the pandemic lockdown.
The difficulty of advocating for Lilli amidst restricted veterinary services.
His choice to forgo chemotherapy and prioritize Lilli’s quality of life.
The support and hope he found through The Dog Cancer Survival Guide and Apocaps.
How Lilli’s spirit inspired him to stay strong, despite the emotional toll.
John’s story offers valuable insights for anyone facing tough decisions about their dog’s cancer treatment.

Key Moments:

Discover how John recognized Lilli’s symptoms and took action.
Learn about the importance of trusting your vet and seeking second opinions.
Hear how adding a new puppy to the family brought joy during a tough time.

Your Voice Matters!

If you have a question for our team, or if you want to share your own hopeful dog cancer story, we want to hear from you! Go to https://www.dogcancer.com/ask to submit your question or story, or call our Listener Line at +1 808-868-3200 to leave a question.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CL7qmJN8KHw

Related Links:

The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: https://www.dogcancerbook.com

Apocaps: https://apocaps.com/

This chemotherapy article covers EVERYTHING! https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/drugs/dog-chemotherapy/

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

00:30 First Signs of Trouble: Lilli’s Diagnosis

02:00 Navigating a Pandemic and Delayed Care

05:15 The Surgery and Initial Results

07:30 The Recurrence: Making Tough Choices

10:45 Choosing Quality of Life Over Aggressive Treatment