Kaley Cuoco, the beloved Big Bang Theory star, recently shared a deeply emotional story about her decision to rehome her dog, Shirley. In an Instagram video posted on Sunday, Cuoco opened up about the difficult and heart-wrenching choice she made after a series of challenges involving her fiancé’s dog, Blue.
For nearly 14 years, Shirley had been a faithful companion to Cuoco, offering unconditional love and support. However, when Cuoco’s fiancé, actor Tom Pelphrey, moved in with his German Shepherd, Blue, things began to change. Initially, Shirley and Blue got along well, but as time passed, tensions between the two dogs grew. The conflicts between them escalated, and Cuoco soon found herself facing a heartbreaking dilemma.
“I couldn’t have predicted how difficult things would become once Tom and Blue moved in,” Cuoco said tearfully in the video. Despite Shirley’s affectionate nature with humans, she struggled to get along with other dogs. The escalating tension between Shirley and Blue led to frequent, intense confrontations, and Cuoco feared the situation could result in serious injuries — either to Blue or even to someone nearby.
After carefully considering her options, Cuoco made the heart-wrenching decision to rehome Shirley. She chose to entrust her longtime companion to her trusted pet handler, Tony, and his wife, Angie. Cuoco explained that while this was an incredibly difficult decision, it was necessary for the safety and well-being of everyone involved.
Shirley had been living with Tony and Angie for the past two years, and Cuoco expressed her deep gratitude for their care. Although it was hard to say goodbye, Cuoco found comfort knowing that Shirley was in loving hands. Sadly, Shirley passed away recently from an aggressive form of bone cancer, just a few months shy of her 14th birthday.
In her emotional tribute, Cuoco acknowledged the challenge of parting with her beloved pet but also reflected on Shirley’s remarkable life. “She lived a long and meaningful life, and I am thankful for every moment we had together,” Cuoco shared, her voice breaking with emotion. “Thank you to all of you for your support and understanding during this difficult time.”
