Kaley Cuoco’s Dog Dies: ‘Big Bang Theory’ Star Pays Tribute On Social Media
If there’s one thing Big Bang Theory fans know about Kaley Cuoco, it’s her love of animals. This past October, The Daily Mail reported on Cuoco’s news of another dog adoption—the fourth rescue canine to enter her home. Shortly after her split from husband Ryan Sweeting, Cuoco took to Instagram to announce her new fur baby, Chester, would join her other dogs, Shirley, Ruby, and Norman — the last of whom has the honor of sharing his name with Kaley’s Instagram page.
On New Year’s Eve, what would have been her second anniversary to Sweeting, Kaley took to social media to announce the passing of her family dog, Petey, whom she received as a gift from her boyfriend when she was 16. People reported that Petey was a chihuahua-dachshund mix. Cuoco’s Instagram post credited her parents — who continued to raise Petey after Kaley left home — for introducing her to the positive aspects of animal rescue.
“My folks gave him the greatest life and he taught us what it meant to love an adoption pup. I have since named my corporation after him (Peteypie Inc.) and he has brought a lifetime of joy and laughs to our entire family. I know he will now enjoy doggie heaven where there will be an abundance of greenies just for him. This little guy, I will never ever forget.”
Kaley Cuoco’s post included a photo collage of herself with Petey, going back to when she was a young star of the John Ritter sitcom 8 Simple Rules. Cuoco has starred in The Big Bang Theory since the show’s debut in 2007. The actor turned 30-years-old at the end of November.
Early in her career, Kaley was already demonstrating her love of animals, and of Petey. She took him to the GW Little Pet Fashion Show on November 9, 2004, when she was just 18-years-old.
In addition to adopting her own dogs from rescues, Cuoco has spoken out about various animal rights issues. She was honored alongside Nikki Reed by the ASPCA in October, 2014, with the organization’s Compassion Award, which “recognizes individuals and groups in the public spotlight who demonstrate an extraordinary commitment of time and effort to directly impact the lives of vulnerable and victimized animals in the United States.”
E! Online reported in June, 2014, on Kaley’s animal work. Cuoco was, at the time, volunteering with Operation: Blankets of Love, which supports rescues by providing comfort items for animals to aid in their well-being and eventual adoption. She had also posed for an Instagram snap with then-husband Sweeting as the two held plush seals and spoke against the commercial seal hunt, a cause of the Humane Society of the United States.
“We will end this cruelty towards our animals once and for all. We will be their voice.”
This past November, Kaley Cuoco hosted The All-Star Dog Rescue Celebration, which is an effort to connect adoptable pups with their forever homes. It was Cuoco’s first public event since announcing her split from Sweeting. She told Extra TV she was happy to help the cause.
“It takes me a lot to get out of the house these days, so this was a big deal for me.
“Last year, they got so many animals homes, so I hope we can do that again this year.”
The Big Bang Theory airs Thursday nights on CBS.
[Photo courtesy of Kaley Cuoco/Instagram]
