Mark Consuelos Says He'd Stay Married for Their Dog Lena
During a recent episode of Live With Kelly and Mark, the hosts joked about a Pennsylvania bill treating pets as family members in divorce cases, and Consuelos claimed he would remain in a marriage solely to keep his dog Lena.
On Tuesday, August 11, Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos discussed a proposed Pennsylvania law that would treat pets as family members in divorce proceedings, including custody and cost-sharing rules. Ripa noted the bill would require judges to consider factors such as daily care and who rescued the animal.
Consuelos responded humorously, asking who would tend to a pet’s nighttime diarrhea, prompting Ripa to joke about karma for the person who originally opposed adoption. The pair, who have three children and a dog named Lena, later talked about their affection for the pet. Consuelos said he would stay in a marriage without love "just to be with Lena every day," a comment that made Ripa laugh.
The hosts continued the banter, with Consuelos saying he would worry about Lena at night if they divorced, and Ripa teasing about other men petting the dog. The segment ended with the couple admiring a photo of Lena.
Ripa had missed two weeks of the show for gum-graft surgery and returned on August 10. Episodes through Labor Day will be pre-recorded, with live broadcasts set to resume on September 8 for the start of season 39.