Man Who Makes Fun Of Tiny Dogs Gets Saved By A Chihuahua, Devotes His Life To Rescuing Them
Even the biggest giants have their soft spot. Only sometimes it takes a special someone to make them embrace it. Bobby Humphreys was the kind of guy who didn’t imagine a tiny dog by his side. The competitive bodybuilder from Maryland spent his time mostly in the gym and laying specialty hardwood floors and surrounded himself with other tough guys, Rottweilers.
In fact, he and his wife of 17 years had owned three of them over the course of their marriage. Humphreys admired the breeds’ regal, imposing look.
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“It’s very well known that while I’ve always loved all animals and even had small dogs in the house growing up from my grandmother from time to time that I was a big dog guy,” Humphreys told Bored Panda. “Rottweilers were my companions, guardians, 120-pound lapdogs.”
“I’d actually make fun of close friends whose girlfriends had tiny dogs when I saw them walking around carrying them for their girls,” he added. “Looking back, that was very immature of me.”
However, his story took an unexpected turn on New Year’s Eve of 2016 when Humphreys’ wife walked out on him. A week later, he injured his shoulder at the gym, requiring reconstructive surgery.
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Without someone to rely on, Humphreys found himself in a deep depression.
“I’m a very sensitive person and she was my world,” Humphreys explained. “I was lost. I started drinking for a purpose instead of just socially.”
As Humphreys’ arm was healing, he tried to get his life in order, but depression turned out to be a strong enemy to beat. It seemed there was no escape until Humphreys’ friend named Constance Rogers turned up with a surprise request, “She messages me one day saying, ‘Do you mind if Lady stays with you for a little while?'”
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Humphreys has heard a lot about Lady, Rogers’ Chihuahua, and wanted nothing to do with her.
However, he wanted to repay his friend, who had helped him during his darkest days, so he agreed to take care of the dog.
One day, he came home from work and stumbled upon Lady peering out of her kennel, strategically placed in front of the TV.
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After about 15 minutes, he said, ‘Screw it, I don’t care if this dog bites me or not, she is not going to be sitting in a kennel.’ Connie came over to check on Lady an hour and a half later and when she walked in, she was totally amazed. Lady was in Bobby’s lap.
Over the next months, Humphreys’ and Lady really got to know each other.
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“Lady did not just transform my opinion, she transformed my life,” Humphreys said. “What didn’t she do? She gave me my self-respect and dignity back. After everything I’ve been through; humiliation shaming, abandonment, and everything else, she gave me the reassurance that I wasn’t such a bad person after all.”
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“This dog hated absolutely everybody. She had been known to bite numerous people. Nobody could get close to this dog. Nobody. Within an hour and a half of being together, she and I had been inseparable ever since. I often look around the house that what we’ve created, especially if there’s a little bit of a mess or I’m stressed and I turn to Lady and tell her, ‘You know this is all your fault, right?’
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There were times when Bobby couldn’t get out of bed. Even when he needed to go to work. “It was pathetic. The only thing keeping me going was spending time with her. It’s weird, it’s sad but she healed me,” he recalled. “There were times when my friend would come check on her dog at 11 in the morning only to find both of us still upstairs in bed. She would then become the drill instructor and make me go to work. That’s not the part that fixed me though, it was all the attention and love from Lady.”
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Humphreys knew Lady couldn’t stay with him forever, so he began looking for his own lady: “I was not terribly particular but I either wanted one that looked like her which would be a deer head fine and color and perhaps not the most perfect specimen as Lady had somethings wrong with her due to eating some chemotherapy medicine and almost passing away.”
That’s when he found Kira, a year-old Chihuahua with food aggression issues.
“She was chocolate and tan which was close enough and I saw her living conditions. I saw how easy it is for people to sell dogs on Craigslist and how little they really care about where the dog goes.”
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Next came Harley and her sister Quinn.
“[When] I found a Harley, [she was] only six weeks old,” Bobby continues. “Harley reminded me so much of Lady, I had to have her.” However, there was definitely something wrong with her but Bobby couldn’t place it. “As they went up to get Quinny from upstairs, the daughter of the breeder let it slip that Harley and Quinn were the results of improper line-breeding or more directly, inbred. My actual thoughts were these dogs are so ugly that nobody is going to buy them or they are going to get cast aside, as one of the horror stories you read on Facebook. I had to have them.”
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“I had it fresh in my mind, the way my past relationship and family in France and society had treated me and cast me aside. I swore to myself that I would show these dogs something that society refused to show them and refused to show me.”
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Pretty soon people started reaching out to him, asking for help. “A hoarding case here, a shut-in there. A bait dog. A dog found on the side of the road. A dog with an extension cord tied around his neck. The more this progressed, the more I loathed society.”
But these terrible examples only fueled Bobby’s motivation. “I made a promise to each and every one of them that they would never have to experience abuse, neglect, abandonment or the pain of loving someone that would not give you love in return no matter how much you tried.”
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Eventually, this evolved into starting a sanctuary. The philosophy behind it is simple: Bobby takes the dogs nobody else wants, he shows them how special they are and he lets them live whatever life they choose. “[I] call this place the island of misfit toys, based off the old 60s Rudolph Christmas claymation cartoon. Starting with myself, we are all the rejects. The ones nobody wants. The ones that don’t look perfect. The ones that don’t fit. So, if you hear us refer to this place as the island, now you know why.”
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“Once I’ve earned the dogs respect and bonded with the dog, I am obligated to them to make sure the only way they leave me is if they found somebody they like even more.”
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“The rest will happily stay here regardless of their conditions or their differences. Or their oddities. They will be celebrated for how beautiful and unique they are and once again never have to worry about anything again.”
Image credits: bigguylittlesworldsanctuary
Image credits: bigguylittlesworldsanctuary
Image credits: bigguylittlesworldsanctuary
Image credits: bigguylittlesworldsanctuary
Image credits: bigguylittlesworldsanctuary
Image credits: bigguylittlesworldsanctuary
Image credits: bigguylittlesworldsanctuary
People fell in love with the gentle giant and his pups
There's a massive heart inside that man - plenty of love for all those gorgeous dogs. My dogs help keep my depression at bay too, such wonderful creatures. 💖💖💖
My big plump 1 year old yellow lab is my third kid and has helped me in ways I didn't understand. He knows when I'm upset, anxious, sick.. I never known a dog so smart so in tuned with my emotions and my child's special needs..(they are both ASD) he's helped them be better to others to themselves.. they are magic beings I love mine so much and so much love to read others having that sameness, that love , that awww sweets it'll be alright look and nuzzle
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That's a lot of inbreeding and results of puppy mills in one photo. Wonderful that he is helping them, and himself.
Yep. Just a while ago one of my neighbors got a chihuahua in hopes that they can breed her and retire on the profits! I told him to go to the shelter - here in Arizona they are packed with chihuahuas. He didn't believe me. Those guys are very prone to birth defects and health problems caused largely by inbreeding, so I hope he knows how to breed them correctly--but I doubt it.
Load More Replies...
Boy can i relate to this chap. I'm a 18st 6'3" man and I've had big dogs all my life... until my wife begged for a Chihuahua. I gave in and 4 years later we now have 4 of these little guys. I am absolutely smitten by their brave, loyal and loving character. I could never be without one now. This guy has convinced me we need more Chichi's!!!!
such cute little fur babies, good for him and stepping up and giving them a home
I never thought I would like a yappy little Chihua until I met my wife. Angel has since passed away, and now my wife has another. But Angel definitely changed my mind about these scrappy little, needle toothed, love machines.
I know that little dogs (especially chihuahuas) can get a bad rap for being overly aggressive and yappy. However, so many of these little guys are extremely loyal and loving to their owners and loved ones!
Some people think that little dogs don't need to be trained, and it's really bad if they aren't. They need to be trained and treated properly, not as a fashion accessory.
Load More Replies...
This man deserves every happiness in life. I would like to meet him and shake his hand.
What a sweet guy! Chihuahuas are an amazing breed! I’ve had lots of breeds and love a lot of dogs, but Chihuahuas take loyal and loving to another level.
I didn't like Chihuahuas until I got my late wife one(best gift ever). I fell in love within that 1st weekend. I would love one now my cat is a jealous god.
Be sure to pay proper homage to the cat god, for cat gods are petty and quick to puke in your shoes.
Load More Replies...
The affection these dogs have for Humphreys says a lot about him! When dogs and cats avoid someone, it's a warning I take seriously.
“All guys have egos.... Who can have the prettiest girl? Who can have the biggest house? Who can have the best car? Who can have the toughest-looking dog?” Who pretends other people are severely flawed so they won’t feel as bad?
other people ARE severely flawed. maybe not everyone, but toxic masculinity is a very common issue guys have to deal with. pretending it's not is the same reason little kids keep growing up thinking they have to be "alpha males" or that their body count is a personality trait.
Load More Replies... He treats his fans disrespectfully by calling them stupid. After he posts his personal business on his dog page and fans try to help him. He's out of order. Grow up Bob!
We all love what he does for these beautiful needed little Chihuahuas. But he uses his page to also post about his personal life such as his health, contest for his fans to vote for his sanctuary and for his body builder friend. All of which many of his fans have supported, including myself. But why post videos and pictures of you being sick, and when your fans show concern and care you don't say thank you, you just called their comments stupid and brush them off? Then grow up Bob, because you always come off sweet, then you turn around and insult people for no reason. He has an obvious mental chip on his shoulders that's rude and unprofessional. And it's sad because fans always support him 110%! Learn how to say thank you first to your fans instead of treating them the way you do. And get off your high horse because your muscles aren't intimidating without a brain or a heart to treat people with kindness and respect!
I am crying- - missing my two rescue Chihuahuas. I bought them at the closing auction of an awful puppy mill. Two old guys no one wanted -- a 13-year old, toothless "stud" male and a 10-year old girl that had been bred 2x a year her whole life. The “owners” were about to take them “out back” because no one wanted to buy them and… I ran up and told the auctioneer I wanted to buy them. I thought they'd had diarrhea in the kennel on the way home. They hadn't -- they had just peed, and were so dirty it looked that way. They'd never been allowed to be dogs -- no training, no play, no socializing with other dogs. When the girl finally learned to play with a squeaker toy after 3 weeks, I was jumping up and down like a little kid (a 62-year old kid). Both were so sweet -- amazing for mill dogs that had been through so much. I lost the little girl to intestinal cancer at 13. The boy passed at almost 17 from immune failure. Still miss them so!
My mom has never liked chihuahuas because they are loud and bite people which led me to believe that I probably shouldn't own one when I'm older but this is so sweet and I'll reconsider a chihuahua possibly I still like small doga though, I own a dachshund :)
I want to marry this man and have all the pooches as our fur babies!!!!!
Love the picture of the one sitting on his buddy's cone of shame! What a lot of personality packed in to all these little dogs!
I have been blessed with having in the past 25 yrs over 180 chis, poms, min pins and saints i called my friends. I am down to my last 11 old boys and girls with 3 of them hitting 21 next June. Does not matter the size or how many dogs, cats, animals you care and love, there are MILLIONS who need your help....what are you doing to help? Blankets, bedding, food, etc is all needed for homeless animals, and animal shelters. How much money will you waste for Xmas gifts? how about taking say 1//3rd of that money and spend it on shelters and homeless animals, including those helpless homeless folks with pets....Pax+
Pets just love us (if we take care of them). They don't judge. They don't criticize. Just love!
There's a massive heart inside that man - plenty of love for all those gorgeous dogs. My dogs help keep my depression at bay too, such wonderful creatures. 💖💖💖
My big plump 1 year old yellow lab is my third kid and has helped me in ways I didn't understand. He knows when I'm upset, anxious, sick.. I never known a dog so smart so in tuned with my emotions and my child's special needs..(they are both ASD) he's helped them be better to others to themselves.. they are magic beings I love mine so much and so much love to read others having that sameness, that love , that awww sweets it'll be alright look and nuzzle
Load More Replies... That's a lot of inbreeding and results of puppy mills in one photo. Wonderful that he is helping them, and himself.
Yep. Just a while ago one of my neighbors got a chihuahua in hopes that they can breed her and retire on the profits! I told him to go to the shelter - here in Arizona they are packed with chihuahuas. He didn't believe me. Those guys are very prone to birth defects and health problems caused largely by inbreeding, so I hope he knows how to breed them correctly--but I doubt it.
Load More Replies... Boy can i relate to this chap. I'm a 18st 6'3" man and I've had big dogs all my life... until my wife begged for a Chihuahua. I gave in and 4 years later we now have 4 of these little guys. I am absolutely smitten by their brave, loyal and loving character. I could never be without one now. This guy has convinced me we need more Chichi's!!!!
such cute little fur babies, good for him and stepping up and giving them a home
I never thought I would like a yappy little Chihua until I met my wife. Angel has since passed away, and now my wife has another. But Angel definitely changed my mind about these scrappy little, needle toothed, love machines.
I know that little dogs (especially chihuahuas) can get a bad rap for being overly aggressive and yappy. However, so many of these little guys are extremely loyal and loving to their owners and loved ones!
Some people think that little dogs don't need to be trained, and it's really bad if they aren't. They need to be trained and treated properly, not as a fashion accessory.
Load More Replies... This man deserves every happiness in life. I would like to meet him and shake his hand.
What a sweet guy! Chihuahuas are an amazing breed! I’ve had lots of breeds and love a lot of dogs, but Chihuahuas take loyal and loving to another level.
I didn't like Chihuahuas until I got my late wife one(best gift ever). I fell in love within that 1st weekend. I would love one now my cat is a jealous god.
Be sure to pay proper homage to the cat god, for cat gods are petty and quick to puke in your shoes.
Load More Replies... The affection these dogs have for Humphreys says a lot about him! When dogs and cats avoid someone, it's a warning I take seriously.
“All guys have egos.... Who can have the prettiest girl? Who can have the biggest house? Who can have the best car? Who can have the toughest-looking dog?” Who pretends other people are severely flawed so they won’t feel as bad?
other people ARE severely flawed. maybe not everyone, but toxic masculinity is a very common issue guys have to deal with. pretending it's not is the same reason little kids keep growing up thinking they have to be "alpha males" or that their body count is a personality trait.
Load More Replies... He treats his fans disrespectfully by calling them stupid. After he posts his personal business on his dog page and fans try to help him. He's out of order. Grow up Bob!
We all love what he does for these beautiful needed little Chihuahuas. But he uses his page to also post about his personal life such as his health, contest for his fans to vote for his sanctuary and for his body builder friend. All of which many of his fans have supported, including myself. But why post videos and pictures of you being sick, and when your fans show concern and care you don't say thank you, you just called their comments stupid and brush them off? Then grow up Bob, because you always come off sweet, then you turn around and insult people for no reason. He has an obvious mental chip on his shoulders that's rude and unprofessional. And it's sad because fans always support him 110%! Learn how to say thank you first to your fans instead of treating them the way you do. And get off your high horse because your muscles aren't intimidating without a brain or a heart to treat people with kindness and respect!
I am crying- - missing my two rescue Chihuahuas. I bought them at the closing auction of an awful puppy mill. Two old guys no one wanted -- a 13-year old, toothless "stud" male and a 10-year old girl that had been bred 2x a year her whole life. The “owners” were about to take them “out back” because no one wanted to buy them and… I ran up and told the auctioneer I wanted to buy them. I thought they'd had diarrhea in the kennel on the way home. They hadn't -- they had just peed, and were so dirty it looked that way. They'd never been allowed to be dogs -- no training, no play, no socializing with other dogs. When the girl finally learned to play with a squeaker toy after 3 weeks, I was jumping up and down like a little kid (a 62-year old kid). Both were so sweet -- amazing for mill dogs that had been through so much. I lost the little girl to intestinal cancer at 13. The boy passed at almost 17 from immune failure. Still miss them so!
My mom has never liked chihuahuas because they are loud and bite people which led me to believe that I probably shouldn't own one when I'm older but this is so sweet and I'll reconsider a chihuahua possibly I still like small doga though, I own a dachshund :)
I want to marry this man and have all the pooches as our fur babies!!!!!
Love the picture of the one sitting on his buddy's cone of shame! What a lot of personality packed in to all these little dogs!
I have been blessed with having in the past 25 yrs over 180 chis, poms, min pins and saints i called my friends. I am down to my last 11 old boys and girls with 3 of them hitting 21 next June. Does not matter the size or how many dogs, cats, animals you care and love, there are MILLIONS who need your help....what are you doing to help? Blankets, bedding, food, etc is all needed for homeless animals, and animal shelters. How much money will you waste for Xmas gifts? how about taking say 1//3rd of that money and spend it on shelters and homeless animals, including those helpless homeless folks with pets....Pax+
Pets just love us (if we take care of them). They don't judge. They don't criticize. Just love!
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