Kaley Cuoco, beloved for her role on The Big Bang Theory, recently shared the emotional story of her late dog Shirley, shedding light on the difficult decision to rehome her cherished pet. In a heartfelt Instagram Reel on November 24, Cuoco revealed the circumstances that led her to part ways with Shirley, who recently passed away from aggressive bone cancer.
Shirley’s Special Place in Kaley’s Life
Cuoco had adopted Shirley when the dog was just six weeks old, and over the years, Shirley became a prominent part of her life, often featured on her social media. “Most of you know I had [Shirley] for many, many, many years,” Cuoco began. “All of a sudden, you kind of stopped seeing her, and I started to get a lot of questions as to where she was.”
Cuoco described Shirley as a “very special dog” and emphasized her deep love for the pet. However, Shirley’s temperament presented challenges, particularly after Cuoco’s fiancé, actor Tom Pelphrey, moved in with his German Shepherd, Blue.
The Struggles Between Shirley and Blue
Cuoco explained that Shirley and Blue could not coexist peacefully. Their fights were so severe that Cuoco feared for the safety of both animals—and even for anyone who might get caught in the middle. “Shirley appeared determined to kill Blue,” Cuoco admitted, adding that Shirley was generally aggressive toward other dogs, except for Cuoco’s late dog Norman. Despite Shirley’s behavior around animals, she remained loving and gentle with humans.
The escalating tension between the two dogs forced Cuoco to consider rehoming Shirley. “I loved her so much, but I was really scared,” she said. “I didn’t want something really bad to happen or possibly a person accidentally be there and get hurt.”
Finding the Perfect Home
Determined to find Shirley the right home, Cuoco turned to her trusted pet handler, Tony, and his wife, Angie. The couple agreed to take in Shirley and cared for her until her final days. “They have loved her so, so much,” Cuoco said, expressing gratitude for their kindness. “It was an excruciating decision.”
Shirley spent her last years in a peaceful, loving environment before succumbing to aggressive bone cancer. “She was almost 14 years old, which is an unbelievable life for a dog,” Cuoco noted. “I am devastated that she has gone over the rainbow bridge.”
A Legacy of Compassion for Animals
Known for her passion for animal rescue, Cuoco has long been an advocate for adopting animals in need. Beyond dogs, she has extended her compassion to include farm animals and retired racehorses, creating a sanctuary at her ranch in Thousand Oaks, California. The ranch is home to a variety of animals, including horses, donkeys, chickens, goats, cows, and pigs. “Really, anything with four legs is welcome here. We don’t turn anyone away,” Cuoco told People earlier this year.
Despite the heartache of losing Shirley, Cuoco’s dedication to animal welfare continues to inspire her fans. As she put it, her ranch has become a “magical place” for animals in need.
