A Bodybuilder Who Moonlights As A Carpenter

Bodybuilders embody the image of machoness, and they only ever seem to care about the time they put in at the gym. You’d be excused for wondering just how bodybuilders make a living in the first place. Most have to moonlight doing other jobs to make ends meet.

Career Trend estimates that the earnings of a professional bodybuilder range from $77K to $93K. Bobby Humphrey, a professional bodybuilder, isn’t an exception. When he's not busy packing on the muscle and taking part in bodybuilding competitions, he works as a carpenter.

He Believed That Pets Should Reflect The Owner’s Image

Bobby Humphrey also loved dogs, and he had previously even owned three rottweilers. He was always a self-proclaimed big-dog guy, and he believed that pets should reflect their owner’s image. In fact, there’s a whole category of look-alike contests at pet fairs to prove that animal lovers resemble their beloved pets.

According to a Psychology Today article, people subconsciously choose pets that resemble them because of their familiarity. Psychologists explain that it’s the same theory about children who closely resemble one of their parents receiving more love from the parent they favor.

A Terrible Heartbreak Turned His World Upside Down

Bobby went through a difficult time when his marriage came to an end at the beginning of 2016. He and his wife had been married for 17 long years before parting ways and Bobby was naturally heartbroken. There just didn’t seem to be anything that could lift his spirits up after the divorce. 

Cathy Meyer, a marriage educator who coaches people who have divorced, explains that people often go through the five stages of recovery. Before getting to the point of acceptance, most people face feelings of denial or anger as they try to adjust to their new reality.

Dealing With Both Emotional And Physical Pain

A week after splitting from his wife, Bobby suffered a shoulder injury while working out at the fitness center. It turned out to be a serious injury and he needed reconstructive surgery. That was yet another huge blow he had to deal with on top of everything else.

Health Line estimates that about 53,000 people go through a shoulder replacement procedure in the United States every year. A shoulder sling is necessary for the recovery process and it limits a person’s ability to perform several daily activities for two to four weeks. Overall, it takes about six months to fully recover from reconstructive surgery. 

He Finds An Escape Through Drinking

Dealing with heartbreak as well as an injury plunged Bobby into depression. As a sensitive soul, both the physical and emotional pain he felt led him to a downward spiral. He started drinking as a coping mechanism, but it didn’t help his situation.

Mark Banschick, a psychiatrist, explains that most divorced people turn to negative habits as a way of coping. He says that people who part ways choose to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol. He adds that light drinkers or people who never even drunk before can turn to excessive drinking, which often leads them down a dangerous path.

A Friend In Need Is A Friend Indeed

Bobby was fortunate enough to have a friend who watched him go down the rabbit hole and chose to extend a helping hand. His friend, Constance Rogers, tried her best to be there for him and lift his spirits up the best way she could. 

At that point, Bobby was in a deep funk and didn’t want to be bothered. He kept pushing her away, but she wanted to keep trying for her friend’s well-being. After a while, seeing that her efforts weren’t helping at all, she just about gave up on him.

Tough Guys Also Crumble Under Life’s Pressures

Bobby recounted that he had lost faith in humanity and became emotionally weak. His mental health wasn’t at its best, and he contemplated ending it all. The only thing that kept him from going down that road was Connie’s persistence in checking up on him. 

He said that Connie wouldn’t give up on him, explaining that she had friends who had taken their own lives and she wasn’t about to watch him do the same thing. Eventually, Bobbie’s arm healed and he could go back to work. That didn’t get rid of how depressed he felt, and he was barely hanging on.

Connie Asks Him To Babysit Her Chihuahua

Bobby received an unexpected phone message from Connie. She asked him if he could babysit her Chihuahua called Lady for a while. Connie had moved to a new place that had a no pet policy. Therefore, she needed the favor while she arranged to find the dog a new home.

He said that he had always made fun of men who owned small dogs or even the ones he spotted occasionally walking their girlfriend’s little pets. He had heard quite a lot about Lady before, but that didn’t mean that he had ever anticipated hosting the dog.

Bobby Steps Up To The Task Haphazardly

Bobby admitted that he wasn’t too keen on caring for a small dog, but he felt like he owed his friend. Connie herself wasn’t too sure about how the two would get along because the little dog wasn’t very friendly with anyone other than her owners. 

He figured that all he needed to do was give Lady some dog food and he wouldn’t have to fuss too much about her. He figured that he could then confine the dog to its kennel, which would make the process of caring for her less complicated. 

The Pair Formed An Unexpected Bond

When Bobby got back home that first day, he sat down to watch some TV. Lady was in her kennel nearby, and he noticed that she wasn’t moving and had a sad look on her face. Overcome with guilt, he decided to throw caution to the wind not caring if the dog would bite him and let her out of the kennel.

Surprisingly, Lady snuggled next to him, perhaps happy to get out of the kennel. When Connie stopped by to check on the dog, she hadn’t expected to find the pair cuddling on the couch and Bobby sporting a smile on his face.

His Days Spent In Bed Are Replaced By Doting Over The Small Dog

Bobby explained that he would miss work a lot and stay in bed on the days that he was feeling extremely low. However, Lady kept him going and they’d play together, which made them grow even closer. 

Lady had stolen his heart, but he had to remember that she wasn’t his to keep. He knew that Connie would eventually find her a new home. Therefore, he didn’t want to become too attached to her. Either way, caring for her over the next four months served as much-needed therapy for him.

He Said Goodbye To Lady & Got His Own Chihuahua

The day came when Bobby had to say goodbye to Lady. By then, he had resolved to buy a puppy and decided that he wanted a Chihuahua. He visited a local adoption center and one dog tugged at his heart.

Kira wasn’t a puppy, being a one-year-old dog, but Bobby was moved by her horrible state and decided to take her in. Kira presented a challenge because she was undisciplined and untrained. Bobby took up the task of shaping the dog into the pet he needed, and it helped to keep him positively.

Kira Helps Bobby Bounce Back From Depression

Kira finally helped Bobby overcome the dark cloud that had surrounded him. And with the dog keeping him company, he gradually stopped being depressed. Bobby was the happiest he had been in months, and he also bounced back to his regular routine. 

Training an older dog is pretty much a similar process like working with a puppy. It’s best to treat any pet you bring home from the dog rescue as if they never had any previous training. Enrolling in obedience class also helps new pet owners establish boundaries from the beginning.

Bobby Welcomes Two New Pets To His Family

Bobby wasn’t nearly done after he settled in with Kira. He felt like he still had enough room in his heart to take in more dogs. He searched on Puppy Finder and came across yet another puppy in a terrible state. He took in Harley along with the puppy’s sister, Quinn.

Harley came from an unusual litter where her mother was being paired with a male pup that she had given birth to from a previous litter. The two dogs adjusted well in their new home and they also got along with Kira. However, he still felt like he needed to do something about the many dogs that were deprived of their animal rights

Bobby Grows His Family Of Dogs

When he continued looking up other rescue dogs, he explained that he saw a pattern. He had shared photos of Harley on his social media describing her initial look like a hairless rugrat that was lumpy and very fragile. He followed through by taking in Bella who had overgrown nails that doubled into her paws.

Referring to them as beautiful babies, he said that he came across a number of dogs that were abused and he just couldn’t sit back and watch it happen. It wasn’t long before he was sheltering an incredible family of 37 small dogs in his home.

Tons Of Love To Go Around

The more pets he took in, the more love he brought into his home. Bobby himself would have never imagined that one day he’d be the proud owner of a tiny little dog, let alone have a house full in a matter of no time. 

It started with Lady who proved to Bobby that when we are going through tough times we can get help from unexpected places. Lady inspired Bobby to open up both his heart and house to countless dogs who needed it. In turn, it served as the unconventional treatment Bobby needed to heal and recover from his physical and emotional pain.

He Figures That His Purpose Is To Care For Destitute Dogs

Knowing your purpose is one of the important steps in determining how you can make a difference, according to Psychology Today. It wasn’t long before Bobby discovered his purpose as he kept on taking in destitute dogs. Mental Help adds that helping others in similar circumstances, in Bobby’s case extending animal care to deserving dogs, helps with the recovery process. 

Bobby no longer spent most of his time reflecting about his failed marriage, which had brought him grave sadness. Instead, his days were occupied by splitting his time between work, exercising, and caring for his dogs.

Building A Sanctuary For Pets That Need A Home

Bobby continued taking in as many small dogs as he could, but he decided to structure the help he provided them by creating a sanctuary for them. He founded Big Guys, Little World and enlisted the help of his good friend Constance to care for the growing litter of dogs he had at home. 

Bobby explained that they care for abandoned Chihuahuas who aren’t in the best shape including those with disabilities or mental illness. They nurse the dogs back to health and provide them permanent shelter at home with Bobby or find loving families soon after.

He Doesn’t Mind The High Pet Maintenance Cost

Bobby went through a series of changes right from when he split with his wife, had his shoulder injury, and offered 37 dogs shelter. The huge change came with increased responsibilities and a high pet maintenance cost. Bobby really doesn’t mind it all because of how his little furry companions have changed his life.

The costs that come with keeping a Chihuahua at home vary based on several aspects depending on the jurisdiction. Vet costs to deal with a deworming range anywhere between $75 to $100, while consultations can cost between $30 to $35. Food budget is estimated to be around $60 per month.

Adapting To Life With Nearly 40 Dogs At Home

With nearly 40 dogs at home, Bobby has also found creative ways to care for the pets. There is a long list of responsibilities that come with taking care of them, including feeding, bathing, and visits to the animal clinic. 

They occupy and make use of just about every resource in Bobby’s house including his bathtub. He had even shared adorable photos of bath time where he managed to clean several of the dogs at one time in his bathtub. Again, he still gets a considerable amount of help from his friend Connie, which makes things much easier.

A Strict Schedule Keeps Things Moving Smoothly

Bobby also had to accustom the dogs to a strict schedule to keep things moving smoothly. They all have their individual needs met, given that when he welcomes them to his personal dog shelter they are often suffering from various aspects of neglect. 

However, all the dogs share the same feeding, cuddling, and walking time. The timing of each activity is measured meticulously and Bobby keeps the same schedule as much as possible to maintain a sense of normalcy. Bobby also explained that the dogs trust him, and he can tell from the look in their eyes that they love him equally as much.

Bobby Makes Quite The Scene, Walking His Dogs At The Park

The man who used to make fun of guys with small dogs at the park now makes a spectacle as a personal dog walker to his 37 canines. The tiny dogs accentuate his hulking frame, and he always attracts a lot of attention whenever he’s with them at the park. 

Fortunately, Bobby can handle all the dogs himself. But whenever he needs some help, he always gets it. He says that his life revolves around his pets, and he considered himself a big guy living in a little world. Bobby says that the dogs also have a heart inside them that’s simply amazing.

Paying It Forward & Getting Rescue Dogs New Homes

Bobby says that the feeling of love the dogs give even after what most of them have gone through makes him feel responsible for them. He can’t imagine having them go back to the cruelty they faced in the past.

For those he can’t keep, he’s made it his personal mission to make sure they end up in homes that understand the value of animal protection. The biggest gift that the little guys have given him is knowing that he’ll never have to be alone again because they’ll always be there as his companions.

The Strength Of A Pack

One of the questions most people ask Bobby is where he gets the strength to care of 37 plus dogs. He says that the discipline comes in part from his dedication to leading a healthy lifestyle, but it also comes from the relationship he has with his pets.

He revealed that they have formed the strength of a pack and there’s no discrimination or segregation in his home. They are all part of their newly formed unique family, and anyone who messes with one of them has to face them all.

Creating An Even Bigger Spectacle On Halloween

For Bobby, caring for his pack of dogs goes beyond just feeding them and keeping a roof over their heads. As a family, they celebrate the big holidays together including Halloween. Once again, Bobby doesn’t hold back from sharing photos of his pups all dressed up for the big holiday on social media. 

His Instagram account is filled with photos of his pooches, and he gives regular updates about how the different dogs are progressing. He also posts heartwarming videos showing how the dogs are always happy to welcome him back home whenever he leaves them to run shopping errands.

The Sanctuary - Big Guy, Little World

Bobby isn’t nearly done when it comes to making sure that he can give attention and care to as many rescue dogs as he can come across. Through the Big Guy, Little World website, he’s managed to get several of the little guys adopted.

He also receives donations from well-wishers to care for the little dogs. He shares on the website that their long-term goal is to make sure that pets across the country have a sanctuary to live without the fear of being kenneled, re-homed, or euthanized. They are also working on a line of pet food and health products to strengthen the immunity of dogs through their diet.

Sharing His Love For Pets Through Adorable Merchandise

The bills that come with caring for such a huge number of animals is quite high. Initially, Bobby took care of it from his income. The sanctuary raises money through direct donations and also by selling their collection of Big Guy, Little World merchandise. The collection includes a selection of clothes, bags, mugs, and key chains. 

Their products are also available under different collections including Lucy Lou, Georgie, Thor, Quinny, and Mother of the Island. Most of the collections are named after Bobby’s little companions, and Mother of the Island pays homage to Connie and Lady, who saved Bobby’s life.

He Developed A Renewed Love For Bodybuilding

Bobby credits having the dogs in his life with helping him bounce back to his regular life. Bodybuilding has always been one of his greatest passions, and he takes it quite seriously over considering it as just a hobby. 

He trains regularly and attends many bodybuilding competitions as he did before hitting the roadblock in life. The only difference is that he now has a house full of his pack of loving dogs waiting back at home for him. His renewed strength allowed him to keep up with them and lift his swarm with ease.

Kira Is Still His Best Friend

With more than 30 dogs offering him their companionship and love, Kira still remains Bobby’s best friend. The two bonded in a special way as the first small dog he adopted, and she’s stayed with him through it all. 

He takes the little dog with him just about everywhere, and he’s also shared photos on his Instagram account when he’s up and about with the little dog. He says that Kira will always remain his first baby, but he loves all his dogs. The special attention has never gotten into Kira’s head, and she always gets along with their new Chihuahua friends!

Bobby Has Changed His Whole Outlook On Life

One thing that Bobby agrees about is the fact that his outlook on life has changed drastically since he welcomed the little dogs into his life. His story also serves as an inspiration for most people that there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel when going through tough times. 

Bobby says that he also feels like he’s not ashamed of expressing himself anymore even if it means dropping the tough guy image. The counseling that comes from it all is that you can always help others regardless of the problems you are facing.