The beloved television personalities fell head over heels for the rescue dog during an "Adopt a Dog Week"-themed episode of their daytime talk show, "Live with Kelly and Mark," which aired on October 12. Originally named Lucas before the couple decided to rename him, the puppy was brought to the show by a New Jersey-based rescue organization called Pet ResQ Inc.
However, fans hoping to see the little pup settle into his new surroundings immediately will have to wait just a little bit longer. Speaking to People magazine on October 18 during a Broadway outing for the opening of the play "Other Desert Cities," Ripa provided an update on the puppy’s status.
"We don’t have him yet because he had a little bit of a health issue," Ripa explained to reporters on the red carpet.
Consuelos offered a few additional details regarding the delay, revealing that their newly adopted rescue dog is currently dealing with a common medical hurdle.
"He’s got a parasite," Consuelos noted.
Despite the minor setback, the couple remains in high spirits and is actively preparing for the puppy’s arrival. "They’re treating it, and then he’s going to come," Ripa said, expressing her excitement for the upcoming transition. According to Consuelos, the family expects their little four-legged friend to become an official resident of their Upper East Side townhouse "any day now."
The connection between the couple and the puppy was instant, particularly for Consuelos. Reflecting on the morning Javi was introduced on set, Ripa shared a heartwarming observation about her husband’s reaction to the small dog.
"Listen, Mark walked into my dressing room this morning with Lucas in his arms," Ripa recalled during the show. "And I saw a different you. I saw a kinder, gentler you."
Once the hosts realized they wanted to expand their family, they took careful steps to ensure a smooth transition, particularly for their existing pet. The couple already shares a Maltese-shih tzu mix named Lena, whom they adopted back in 2020. Prior to finalizing the adoption, Ripa and Consuelos decided to orchestrate what they playfully called a "chemistry test" to see how Lena and Javi would interact.
By the October 13 episode of "Live with Kelly and Mark," the couple was thrilled to share the good news with their audience, confirming that the initial meeting went remarkably well. They officially adopted Javi, though they emphasized that they would be taking things slowly to ensure both pups could comfortably adjust to sharing a living space.
"We have a new baby. Not living in the house yet. Gotta wait for a couple of medicals, a couple of tests, but we are, like, expectant parents," Ripa told viewers during the broadcast. Describing her state of mind following the adoption, she added, "Like, I started nesting last night. I couldn’t sleep. I started making a nest."
When Javi eventually completes his medical treatments and makes his grand arrival at the Ripa-Consuelos household, he will have plenty of room to roam and explore. The couple purchased their sprawling, 7,796-square-foot Manhattan residence for $27 million back in 2013. The art deco-inspired Upper East Side home has served as a central hub for the family over the years.
Aside from their growing menagerie of pets, Ripa, 56, and Consuelos, 55, share three adult children: Michael, 29, Lola, 25, and Joaquin, 23.
Ripa has previously made it clear that she is deeply attached to their Manhattan home, even suggesting that she has no intention of ever packing up and leaving. During a past interview and home tour with Architectural Digest, Ripa joked that the property is the "final place" where she will live.
"They’ll have to carry me out of here feet first because I have gotten good and comfortable in this house," she quipped.
Despite Ripa’s strong domestic roots in New York City, at least one member of the family has entertained different geographical aspirations. In December 2025, Ripa revealed that their daughter Lola, who relocated to the United Kingdom in 2023, frequently tries to convince her parents to cross the Atlantic and join her overseas.
"Lola is always trying to get us to move to London, as if we don’t work in New York," Ripa shared during a segment of their show. "She’ll leave us these subtle hints when she’s home, when there is something on sale in London."
While Ripa and Consuelos have kept their primary residence firmly planted in New York, they frequently make the trip abroad to visit their middle child. The dedicated parents even pulled off a major surprise for Lola in 2025 by sneaking into the crowd at a live performance celebrating the launch of her debut EP.
"We wanted to go, but we didn’t want to add any more pressure by us being there. She told us not to go, specifically," Consuelos explained of the clandestine trip, which allowed them to support their daughter’s burgeoning music career without disrupting her performance anxiety.
For now, however, the couple’s immediate focus remains firmly on completing their medical wait for Javi, finalizing the preparations around their Upper East Side home, and getting ready to welcome their newest family member once his treatment is officially complete.
