Sofia Vergara Ends The Divorce Dogfight Handing Pooch To Joe Manganiello

Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello are having a non-acrimonious divorce, but it nearly went to the dogs, over one. While the two share no children their elderly pet chihuahua, Bubbles, became a bone of contention for both. But it seems Vergara is handing over the pooch to Manganielli, because of one very important reason. Here’s the down-low…

The end of yet another fairytale Hollywood romance happened on July 17 when Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello announced they were separating after seven years of marriage.

They gave a joint statement as well, that read, “We have made the difficult decision to divorce. As two people that love and care for one another very much, we politely ask for respect for our privacy at this time as we navigate this new phase of our lives.”

Two days later, Manganiello filed for divorce, citing “irreconcilable differences,” listing the date of separation as July 2. He also noted that the pair had a prenup in place, and Vergara also requested the same be upheld. Both parties agreed to have spousal support determined by their prenup, the details of which are under wraps. That said, Vergara did note in her legal documents, that “miscellaneous jewelry, artwork, and other personal effects,” which includes any earnings she made before, during, and after their date of separation, belong to her. The couple’s communal property will also be divided in a manner so dictated by the prenup and the estranged couple has agreed to pay their own attorney’s fees.

The bone of contention quite literally was Bubbles, and for a while, it seemed the divorce was headed into acrimony.

Given that the pooch was a darling for both, neither Vergara nor Manganiello wanted to give up Bubbles. As per an article in Life & Style, “They both really want the dog, and neither of them is backing down.”

In fact, just a week before they announced their split, Vergara, 51, and Manganiello, 46, posted separate tributes on Instagram for the Chihuahua’s 10th birthday. They adopted Bubbles shortly after tying the knot in 2015.

Wrote Vergara on her Instagram Stories, “No matter how many times [you] bite me I will always love [you],” the Modern Family actress captioned a pic of “sweet, vicious” Bubbles’ pink frosted cake. Meanwhile, the “True Blood” star shared a video of the precious pooch, enjoying a Starbucks puppuccino.

Initially, it seemed Vergara and Manganiello would end up having a contentious divorce, as the source further noted, “Joe thinks he should keep Bubbles. They are inseparable, and Sofía’s said herself the dog is obsessed with him. But Sofía adores Bubbles, too, and thinks it’s only fair that she stays with her. It’s a real dog fight.”

Now, it seems Sofia Vergara has ended it by handing the 10-year-old Chihuahua-Pomerainian mix, Bubbles, over to estranged husband Joe Manganiello without a fight.

As per California State law, pets are considered personal property when couples are dividing their assets. However, after a new law was passed in 2019, judges presiding over divorces can now take into consideration the best interest of the pet’s well-being and then take a custody decision.

The former couple seemingly wanted to keep their beloved pooch out of court, even though it was Vergara who adopted Bubbles. That said, it’s the “Magic Mike” star who the pooch truly bonded with.

As per the source, “Neither one of them is bitter or out for revenge, and Sofía loves Bubbles and wants her to be happy which is precisely why she’s letting Joe have custody.” Apparently, Vergara was very “gracious” about it all, and the source further said, “[Manganiello] said Sofía has the biggest heart and would never do anything to intentionally hurt him or Bubbles.”

Manganiello is also feeling the loss of his bestie, Paul Reubens, so having Bubble might come as a comfort to him.

In 2021, Vergara, 51, joked on “The Tonight Show” about how Bubbles chose her husband over her, “She hates me. She was supposed to be for me. She was supposed to be my dog. She arrived at the house and I don’t know, she thought she was for Joe and that’s all she wants to do.”

She further told Fallon at the time, “It’s horrific, she hates me. She’s super mean to me. She bites me! She’s not that cute in person. I have to say, [Joe[ treats her like she’s a little daughter he has. But she insists on, you know, behaving like a concubine or like a mistress or something.”

Here's a memory of happier times!