Kaley Cuoco Says She Was ‘Scared’ As She Reveals Why She Recycled Her Dog Shirley

On By Littum

Kaley Cuoco has opened up about her late dog Shirley.

The Big Bang Theory star took to Instagram on Sunday (November 24) to share the reason why she decided to rehome her dog, who recently died of cancer.

“Most of you know I had (Shirley) for many, many, many years,” she began her Instagram Reel. “Suddenly people stopped seeing her and I started getting a lot of questions about where she was because it’s very unlike me to just stop writing about a dog that I’ve had since she was six weeks old . . .

She went on to praise the dog, saying: “Long story short, she is a very special dog to me as you all know.”

Unfortunately, Shirley was unable to get along with her fiancé, Tom Pelphrey’s dog, Cuoco continued. “And when the love of my life came into my life, Tom, who is also a huge dog lover, and he moved across the country with his beautiful German Shepherd, Blue, a few years ago, Blue and Shirley unfortunately started getting into some mega matches,” she said.

Cuoco had Shirley since she was six weeks old
Cuoco had Shirley since she was six weeks old (Getty Images)

She added that the fights were intense to the point where Shirley seemed “determined to kill Blue” and would fight most dogs except her other dog Norman.

Although Shirley was violent around other dogs, she loved being around people. However, she became afraid that another animal would be harmed, leading to the decision that Shirley could no longer live with her and Pelphrey.

“I loved her so much, but I was really scared,” Cuoco said. “I didn’t want anything really bad to happen or for someone to accidentally get hurt and hurt.”

Cuoco clarified that despite rehoming her dog, she wanted to make sure she went to the right home. “I didn’t want her to end up in a home that didn’t understand her because she’s so special and I’ve had her for so long,” she said.

Fortunately, Cuoco’s pet handler, Tony, and his wife volunteered to take Shirley in and kept her until she died. “They have loved her so much and it was an excruciating decision,” he said stewardess said actor.

Cuoco explained that Shirley had “a very aggressive bone cancer that came on very quickly.”

“She was almost 14 years old, which is an incredible life for a dog,” she continued. “And I just wanted to share her story and what we had to do.”

“She had a great life with us and a great last few years with Tony and Angie. I’m devastated that she’s gone over the rainbow bridge.”

Cuoco is known to be a huge advocate for rescued animals. “Obviously I rescue dogs and everyone knows that about me, but I’ve really expanded into livestock and even thoroughbreds and horses off the track,” the actress said in an interview with People in May.

She has taken this love of all kinds of animals and put it into her ranch in Thousand Oaks, California, which includes horses, donkeys, chickens, goats, cows and pigs. “Really anything with four legs is welcome here. We don’t turn anyone away. It’s become this magical place,” Cuoco said.