Sofia Vergara grants Joe Manganiello full custody of dog Bubbles (2024)

Sofia Vergara has agreed to give full custody of their beloved Chihuahua, Bubbles, to her estranged husband, Joe Manganiello, amid their ongoing divorce, according to DailyMail.com. The couple, who announced their separation last month, is currently dividing their assets and possessions based on their prenuptial agreement, including the custody of their family pets. While they don't have children together, they need to work out a custody arrangement for Bubbles, the 10-year-old Chihuahua-Pomeranian mix Vergara adopted in 2021.

Pets were previously treated similarly to property under California law, which typically granted the partner who originally adopted the animal precedence when dividing assets. However, a law passed in the state in 2019 gives judges more discretion to determine pet custody. Fortunately, the two have been handling the split amicably, and according to insiders, Sofia has 'graciously' allowed her estranged husband to keep the pup – which he had almost already taken exclusive ownership of since she joined the family.

'Not in a million years would Joe part ways with his dog Bubbles, and Sofia is well aware of this. Joe said Sofia was gracious about him keeping Bubbles after their break-up,' a source close to the actor told DailyMail.com exclusively. 'Neither one of them is bitter or out for revenge, and Sofia loves Bubbles and wants her to be happy, which is precisely why she's letting Joe have custody. 'He said Sofia has the biggest heart and would never do anything to intentionally hurt him or Bubbles.'

And although Sofia is technically the dog's legal owner, both parties have made it clear in interviews and social media posts that it is Joe who has developed an unbreakable bond with Bubbles. The True Blood star, who has no children of his own, has not been shy about his attachment to the tiny pup. Bubbles is present in nearly every one of his Instagram posts, where he proudly identifies as a 'Chihuahua dad,' and has even made several public appearances with him on TV and red carpet events.

Just last month, the actor shared a video wishing Bubbles a happy 10th birthday and spoiling her with a 'pappuccino' on July 9, the day before Sofia's 51st birthday. In a humorous Mothers' Day post this year, he also paid tribute to his mom as well as his wife, who has a son from a previous marriage, using a photo of Vergara posing with Bubbles.

It's been reported that the couple's split largely stems from Manganiello's intense desire to have children, and sources say his close bond with Bubbles has served almost like a parent-child relationship. 'Joe said he couldn't imagine life without his dog and never knew that kind of love. In his mind, he already has a child,' the insider said. 'He said if Bubbles could speak, she would say that under no circ*mstances would she want to be with anyone else but Joe.'

Joe and Bubbles are inseparable. The little dog has formed a strong bond with Joe, and he takes Bubbles everywhere, even to work on set. Vergara has joked that Bubbles is now her husband's pet because of their special connection.

In a 2021 appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Sofia jokingly mentioned that the dog, Bubbles, which she initially bought as her pet, instantly preferred spending time with Joe. She humorously referred to the dog as an "idiot" and playfully remarked that Bubbles had taken over everything that was supposed to be hers.

Joking about how Bubbles has made it clear who her favorite is, she said: 'It's not funny – it's horrible, she's taken my husband, my bed. 'She sleeps in bed with Joe, they sleep together and then I sleep on the other side. It has become something so weird. 'But I have to say it's not Joe's fault, it's her, she's obsessed with him.'In an interview from 2016, the siren from Colombia said that Joe wanted kids and she was open to more children but it was not going to happen 'naturally.' Sofia is already mom to 31-year-old Manolo with her first husband, Joe Gonzalez. Read the full story:https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-12360803/Sofia-Vergara-graciously-agrees-hand-custody-Joe-Manganiellos-beloved-Chihuahua-pom-mix-Bubbles-despite-adopting-pooch-two-years-ago.html?ito=msngallery

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