Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos said goodbye to their dog Chewie in February 2025, leaving their dog Lena alone in the pack. But an adorable new addition to the family may have something to do with it, at least according to Ripa.
© IG: @LivewithkellyandmarkThe couple made the furry announcement on the Tuesday, October 13, episode of Live with Kelly and Mark, revealing that they had adopted a rescue dog named Javi after meeting him during the show's annual Adopt a Dog Week.
“We have news: We adopted Javi yesterday,” Consuelos, 55, announced at the start of the show. “We have a new baby!” Ripa, 56, exclaimed.
© IG: @livewithkellyandmarkThe adoption almost happened in real time. On Monday's episode, Consuelos arrived on set carrying a rescue pup named Lucas, who was featured through the show's partnership with Pet ResQ Inc.
As he held the dog throughout the segment, Ripa couldn't help noticing how much softer her husband seemed. “Mark walked into my dressing room this morning with Lucas in his arms, and I saw a different you,” she recalled. “I saw a kinder, gentler you.”
Consuelos described the pup as “so chill” with a “very good disposition” and immediately started thinking about a new name. “Maybe Havanese. I was thinking Javi could be a good name for him. Javier?” he suggested. “Well, his name is Lucas,” Ripa reminded him. “This is trouble,” she joked. “He's naming this dog we have not adopted.”
As Ripa watched Consuelos hold the new pup, she couldn't shake the feeling that Chewie might have somehow led them to him. “I kept thinking about how much Javi reminded me of Chewie,” she said on Live with Kelly and Mark. “And I was thinking, ‘Oh, I bet Chewie sent Javi here for us.’”
There was just one other dog whose opinion mattered before they made the decision - Lena, the Maltese-Shih Tzu mix the couple adopted in 2021.
Before bringing Javi home, Ripa and Consuelos wanted to see how he would get along with Lena, whom they also met on a pet segment on Live with Kelly and Ryan, with Ripa announcing the adoption to co-host Ryan Seacrest that March.
Lena was formerly known as Angelina at the shelter. Their children, Michael, Lola, and Joaquin, wanted to keep it in the Star Wars family, “My kids want her to be named Leia, as in Princess Leia, because we have Chewie. I don't know. I need guidance,” Ripa said at the time.
In the end, they went with Lena. “Lena's on her way here to see Lucas slash Javi,” Ripa teased on Monday's show. “We're going to have a chemistry test. See if they get along.”
The couple later shared footage of their first introduction on social media. Lena seemed a little unsure at first, but the dogs eventually began playing. “They wound up playing next to each other,” Ripa said, explaining they would make it a slow transition. “I think we're going to have to slow exposure, slow. But I think they're going to be A-okay.” “Great buddies,” Consuelos predicted.
Javi still needs to complete some medical tests before moving into the family's home, but Ripa is already preparing for his arrival. “We are like expectant parents,” she said. “I started nesting last night. I couldn't sleep.”
© IG: @livewithkellyandmarkKelly Ripa is still grieving the loss of Chewie
The excitement surrounding Javi's arrival comes with an emotional connection for Ripa, who immediately thought of Chewie when she saw her husband holding the rescue pup.
The family's beloved Shih Tzu died in February 2025 at 17 years old. Consuelos previously explained on the show that Chewie's health had been declining before they made the difficult decision to say goodbye.
She had been eating less, stopped eating altogether for a period, and was experiencing severe dehydration and neurological issues.
The loss was particularly painful for the couple because Chewie had been with them through so many stages of their lives together. Ripa, who adopted the dog years earlier, became emotional as Consuelos shared the news with viewers.
“I'm really sorry. I thought I got it all out, guys. I really thought I got it all out,” she said through tears. “God, she gave us so much.”
