Mark Consuelos says he would remain married to avoid losing their dog in a divorce
During a segment of "Live with Kelly and Mark," the host and his husband discussed a Pennsylvania bill that would treat pets as family members in divorce proceedings, with Consuelos stating he would stay married rather than risk losing their dog Lena.
Mark Consuelos told co-host Kelly Ripa on Tuesday’s episode of "Live with Kelly and Mark" that he would remain in a marriage solely to keep their dog Lena, a Maltese-Shih Tzu mix rescued in 2021. The comment came while the pair were talking about a proposed Pennsylvania law that would reclassify pets from property to family members for the purpose of divorce settlements.
"I would stay in a loveless marriage just to make sure I could be with Lena every day," Consuelos said. He added that losing Lena in a divorce would keep him up at night wondering about the dog’s wellbeing.
Ripa, who was recovering from oral surgery and could not speak during the segment, asked whether a loveless marriage could be arranged, prompting a light-hearted exchange between the couple.
The discussion highlighted the broader issue of pet custody in divorces, a topic gaining legislative attention as more states consider granting pets greater legal status. The couple, married for 30 years and parents of three children, have previously spoken about the importance of pet adoption, noting that their older dog Chewie, a Shih Tzu, died last year at age 17.