Joe Manganiello was spotted cradling his beloved chihuahua Bubbles in the nook of his bulging biceps as he left Gold’s Gym in LA.

The incredibly buff actor held the tiny pup with one arm as he made his way back to his car following a grueling workout session.

The chiseled True Blood star, 46, wore a muscle tee with his bag slung across his torso as Bubbles crossed his paws and relaxed in his fur dad’s arm.

His sighting with Bubbles comes just over a month after DailyMail.com exclusively revealed that estranged wife Sofia Vergara ‘graciously’ agreed to hand over full custody of the pup amid their ongoing divorce.

Joe rocked a logo tee with shorts, opting for a black and yellow bag.

Joe and Sofia announced their separation in July after seven years of marriage.

 The former couple did not have children together; she has a 31-year-old son from her previous marriage.

Sofia adopted Bubbles – a Chihuahua-Pomeranian mix – in 2021. 

The two have been handling their split amicably, with DailyMail.com insiders revealed Sofia ‘graciously’ allowed her estranged husband Joe to keep their pup – which he had already almost take exclusive ownership of since she adopted him. 

‘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.’

They are in the process of splitting up their assets and possessions as per their prenuptial agreement. 

Despite the fact that legally Sofia is Bubbles owner, it is clear in interviews Joe’s unbreakable bond with Bubbles.

Joe has not been shy stating his affection for the tiny pup, as well as holding him in almost ever post on his Instagram.

He proudly calls himself a ‘Chihuahua dad’ and has brought Bubbles with him on red carpets and TV interviews.

In July – one day before Sofia’s 51st birthday – Joe shared a cute video of Bubbles on his 10ths birthday as he spoiled the fur baby with a puppaccino.

In 2022, he said on the Kelly Clarkson Show that his wife ‘wanted the dog but the dog wanted me.’

Their split reportedly came largely from his desire to have children.

Insiders say his close bond with Bubbles has served as 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 circumstances would she want to be with anyone else but Joe.’

The source added: ‘When we were working on a project together overseas, Joe took Bubbles with him everywhere. On the set, to bars, restaurants.

‘He always had that little dog is in arms. He even took Bubbles to a concert. The two are inseparable.

‘The only time have I’ve seen Joe without Bubbles was when he was actually on-camera working.

‘We were overseas for months, so even back then both Joe and Sofia knew Bubbles had a favorite.’