Kaley Cuoco Speaks on Rehoming Dog Shirley After Her Passing
Kaley Cuoco, a passionate animal rescuer, recently shared a heartfelt update on Instagram about her late dog, Shirley. The actress discussed the circumstances surrounding Shirley's rehoming, revealing that the decision followed her dog's behavioral issues with her fiancé Tom Pelphrey’s dog.
In an emotional Instagram Reel posted on Sunday, November 24, Cuoco addressed concerns from fans about Shirley's sudden absence from her social media. "Most of you know I had [Shirley] for many, many years," Cuoco said, recalling that Shirley had been her companion since puppyhood. She noted, "It's very unlike me to just stop posting about a dog."
Cuoco became emotional while talking about Shirley's significance in her life. "Long story short, she’s a very special dog to me," she expressed. She described how her fiancé, Tom Pelphrey, also a dedicated dog lover, had moved across the country with his German Shepherd, Blue. Unfortunately, Cuoco described how the two dogs eventually started having significant fights.
Cuoco noted that Shirley's aggression toward Blue was alarming, stating that Shirley was "determined to kill" Blue. She added that Shirley also exhibited aggressive behaviors toward other dogs, excluding Norman, who she grew up with.
Even though Shirley adored being around families and children, Cuoco expressed concern about her dog's safety among their collection of pets. This led to a difficult decision regarding Shirley’s living situation. "I loved her so much, but I was really scared," Cuoco admitted. She feared an incident might lead to harm, either to Shirley or another animal.
Cuoco noted that help came from her pet handler, Tony, and his wife, Angie. A couple of years ago, they offered to care for Shirley and have provided love and support ever since. The actress reflected on the pain of her decision, stating it was "excruciating."
She also shared the sorrowful news of Shirley's passing. "She got a very aggressive bone cancer that came on very quickly," Cuoco revealed tearfully. As she expressed gratitude for Shirley's astonishing life of nearly 14 years, she emphasized the importance of sharing her story.
Kaley thanked Tony and Angie for their care before acknowledging the impact Shirley had on her life. In her caption, she expressed deep love and remembrance, stating, "🐾 In honor of my Shirley 🐾 @ohnorman ♥️."
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