Kelly Ripa & Mark Consuelos Bring Home Rescue Dog After Heartbreaking Loss

Oct 14, 2026 by apost team

A beloved pet can never truly be replaced, but sometimes another animal arrives and helps a grieving family open its heart again. For Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos, that unexpected connection came through a rescue dog named Javi.

The couple announced on the Oct. 13, 2026, episode of “Live with Kelly and Mark” that they had adopted the little Shih Tzu, approximately 20 months after losing their cherished dog Chewie, who died at age 17 in February 2025.

“We have news: We adopted Javi yesterday,” Consuelos, 55, announced.

“We have a new baby!” Ripa, 56, exclaimed.

Their journey began during the show’s Adopt a Dog Week on Oct. 12, when Consuelos carried a rescue puppy named Lucas onto the set. The affectionate pup settled comfortably into his arms and even fell asleep during the conversation.

Ripa immediately noticed her husband’s connection with the dog.

“Mark walked into my dressing room this morning with Lucas in his arms,” she recalled. “And I saw a different you. I saw a kinder, gentler you.”

Consuelos was equally smitten and suggested renaming the puppy Javi, short for Javier.

“This is trouble,” Ripa joked. “He’s naming this dog we have not adopted.”

But beneath the lighthearted exchange was something deeply personal. Javi reminded Ripa of Chewie, whose death had left an enormous void in the family.

“I kept thinking about how much Javi reminded me of Chewie,” she explained. “And I was thinking, ‘Oh, I bet Chewie sent Javi here for us.’”

What began as an ordinary television segment became an emotional reminder that love for a pet can continue long after saying goodbye.

Before welcoming Javi, Ripa and Consuelos wanted to ensure he would get along with Lena, their Maltese-Shih Tzu mix, whom they had also adopted after meeting her through “Live.”

Lena initially appeared nervous around the newcomer, but their first meeting offered encouraging signs. According to TV Insider's coverage of the adoption, the couple planned to introduce the dogs gradually rather than rush the adjustment.

Javi’s arrival also required some patience. The couple explained that he needed to complete medical tests before moving into their home.

“We are like expectant parents,” Ripa said. “I started nesting last night. I couldn't sleep.”

The adoption carried particular significance because Ripa had not originally intended to choose another dog resembling Chewie. She had imagined adopting a small black dog like Lena, making her immediate connection with Javi all the more surprising.

Losing Chewie had been especially difficult. The beloved Shih Tzu had accompanied the couple through years of family milestones as their children, Michael, Lola and Joaquin, grew up and moved out.

As PEOPLE reported following Chewie's death, Consuelos described the decision to euthanize their ailing companion as “one of the toughest things we’ve had to do as a married couple.”

The couple had considered adopting again. In September 2025, Ripa told PEOPLE they were considering finding a companion for Lena, though their grief remained.

A previous attempt to adopt a poodle puppy named Copper did not work out after Lena seemed frightened during their introduction.

Javi’s meeting with Lena proved more promising, opening the door to another chapter for the family.

While no dog could replace Chewie, Javi offered the possibility of a new bond shaped by cherished memories, patience and affection.

For Ripa and Consuelos, adopting him was about more than welcoming another pet. It was also about finding room for new love while honoring the one they had lost.

apost.com

What do you think of Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos’ new addition to the family? Do you have a furry baby you love to dote on as well? Let us know about them, and then pass this on to family and friends who are animal lovers, too!