Kelly Ripa and her husband, Mark Consuelos, are thinking about adopting a new pet after the loss of their beloved dog, Chewie.
The couple made the difficult decision to euthanise Chewie, their 17-year-old Shih Tzu, in February 2025. Her health had declined rapidly, and she had stopped eating. Ripa later explained that it was one of the hardest choices they had ever made as a couple.
Speaking ahead of the 38th season of Live, Kelly Ripa revealed that she and Consuelos are “considering” adoption. The new pet would join their Maltese/Shih Tzu mix, Lena, whom they adopted in 2020.
“We’re looking to maybe get Lena a sibling,” Ripa said. “We’re still grieving, and I don’t think we’ll ever get over losing Chewie. But we are definitely considering another dog.”
Consuelos added that size will be an important factor in choosing the right pet. Since the couple travels often, they prefer a dog small enough to fit under a plane seat.
Chewie had been part of the family for nearly two decades and grew up alongside their three children: Michael, 28, Lola, 24, and Joaquin, 22. Ripa first met Chewie during an adoption segment on Live, which made the bond even more special.
Reflecting on the decision, Consuelos said, “You think you’re doing the right thing, but it’s one of the toughest things we’ve had to do.”
While the grief is still fresh, Kelly Ripa and Consuelos believe that opening their home to another rescue dog could be healing. They also hope Lena will benefit from having a companion.
For now, the couple is taking time before making any final decision, but adoption is clearly on their minds.
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