No One Expected Dana Perino and Her Husband to Show Up at an Adoption Agency – And the List of Names They’re Considering Will Make Fans Cry

Dana Perino, the beloved Fox News anchor, co-host of The Five, and former White House Press Secretary, has long been a figure of grace and authenticity. At 53, her 27-year marriage to British businessman Peter McMahon, 70, is a testament to love and resilience, built without biological children but enriched by their devotion to their Hungarian Vizslas. So, when Perino revealed on a May 2025 episode of America’s Newsroom that she and McMahon had visited an adoption agency, fans and colleagues were stunned. The revelation that they were adopting a rescue dog, coupled with a heart-wrenching list of names under consideration, left everyone in tears, showcasing the couple’s boundless compassion and deep emotional connection to their past.

A Love Story That Endures

Perino and McMahon’s romance began in August 1997 on a flight from Denver to Chicago, where a chance seating sparked a two-and-a-half-hour conversation. Perino, then 25, was captivated by McMahon’s British charm and entrepreneurial spirit. Despite an 18-year age gap and long-distance challenges, McMahon proposed in 1998 outside the Washington National Cathedral, and Perino accepted with a heartfelt letter. They eloped in Blackpool, England, on September 30, 1998, creating a life in New York and Bay Head, New Jersey.

Their marriage thrives on mutual support. McMahon, president of GreenSleeve Medical Corporation, has been Perino’s anchor through her White House Press Secretary role and Fox News career. The couple chose not to have biological children, a decision Perino has embraced in her book And the Good News Is…, saying, “Our love is complete.” They’ve built a family with McMahon’s children, Barry and Kelly, their grandchildren, Rachel and Sebastian, and their Hungarian Vizslas—Henry, Jasper, Percy, and Liberty. Perino’s book Let Me Tell You About Jasper… celebrates their dogs, while her podcast, A Dana Perino Podcast: Everything’s Going to Be Okay, highlights their fulfilling life. Recent challenges, including McMahon’s minor stroke in August 2024 and a neurological condition, have deepened their bond, with Perino’s caregiving role underscoring their strength.

The Unexpected Adoption Agency Visit

On May 19, 2025, during a segment on America’s Newsroom, Perino shared news that left co-anchor Bill Hemmer speechless. “Peter and I did something unexpected,” she said, her voice warm. “We visited an adoption agency last week.” The studio froze as Hemmer, wide-eyed, asked, “Dana, are you adopting a child?” Fans on X erupted with speculation, posting, “Dana and Peter adopting? This is huge!” and “At 53 and 70? Is it a baby?” The announcement was shocking, given Perino’s public stance on not having children and their recent focus on their Vizslas, Percy and Liberty.

Perino quickly clarified, her smile broadening. “We’re adopting a rescue dog!” she announced, explaining that the “adoption agency” was a New Jersey-based pet rescue organization specializing in Hungarian Vizslas. The decision came after McMahon’s health recovery inspired them to give a home to a dog in need. “Peter said our hearts have room for one more,” Perino shared, noting that the rescue dog, a two-year-old female Vizsla found abandoned, had captured their hearts during a visit to the shelter. The news, while surprising, aligned with their history of canine devotion, but it was the list of names they were considering that truly moved everyone.

The Tear-Jerking List of Names

As Perino elaborated on her podcast the next day, May 20, 2025, she revealed the emotional list of names they were considering for the rescue dog, each tied to a significant moment in their lives. “These names mean everything to us,” she said, her voice catching. The list, shared with listeners, included:

Santorini: After their 1998 honeymoon in Greece, where they dreamed of their future.

Cathedral: For the Washington National Cathedral, where McMahon proposed.

Jasperina: A nod to their late Vizsla Jasper, whose passing in 2021 left a void.

Grace: Inspired by Perino’s faith and McMahon’s recovery, symbolizing resilience.

Blackpool: For their 1998 wedding in McMahon’s hometown, a cornerstone of their love.

Perino explained that each name carried memories of joy, love, or healing. “Santorini reminds us of our early dreams,” she said. “Jasperina would honor our boy who taught us so much.” Grace, she added, reflected McMahon’s strength after his 2024 health scares, during which a therapy dog had lifted his spirits. The list stunned colleagues on The Five, with Greg Gutfeld, father to Mira, born in December 2024, saying, “Dana, you’re making me cry—those names are beautiful.” Jeanine Pirro called them “a love letter to your life,” while Jesse Watters joked, “Blackpool’s a winner, but I’m Team Jasperina!”

Fans on X were equally emotional, posting, “Dana’s name list is breaking my heart—in the best way!” and “Santorini for a dog? I’m sobbing!” The names resonated deeply, reflecting the couple’s journey through love, loss, and renewal. Perino shared that they hadn’t yet chosen, as the rescue dog, still adjusting at the shelter, would “tell us her name” when she arrived home. The adoption was set to finalize in June 2025, with Perino and McMahon preparing a cozy space alongside Percy and Liberty.

A Heartfelt New Chapter

The adoption agency visit and the name list highlight Perino and McMahon’s compassion and creativity. Perino shared that the rescue dog, described as “soulful yet spunky,” reminded them of Henry, their first Vizsla, whose Lincoln Park arrest anecdote lives on in her storytelling. “She’s been through so much,” Perino said of the dog, “but she’s ready to love again, just like us.” McMahon, now stronger post-recovery, has been researching Vizsla care, eager to welcome their new family member.

The announcement has inspired fans, with many praising the couple’s commitment to rescue animals. “Dana and Peter are angels for adopting,” one X user wrote. “Those names show how much they cherish every moment.” As Perino continues to anchor The Five and America’s Newsroom, her marriage remains her foundation. The adoption, with its tear-jerking name list, is more than a new pet—it’s a celebration of a love that embraces second chances. “Peter and I don’t have kids,” Perino said, “but our family keeps growing with love.” For Dana Perino and Peter McMahon, this rescue dog and her yet-to-be-chosen name promise a chapter filled with joy and healing.