
27 Chewy Items To Make You A Dog Ownership Genius
Promising review: "Our pug loves this toy!! He brings it over every evening to play tug. He lost interest in his regular rope toys fairly quickly, but still loves this one after six months." —LauraPrice: $10.99
A refillable dog treat dispenser toy you can fill with homemade snacks or premade Pupsicle Pops because this will keep your doggo occupied while you sit through your Zoom meetings.
Promising review: "Our Lab mix has always suffered from anxiety, fear, aggression with strangers, and breaks in routine. We ordered this product after seeing several ads on our social media. He LOVES it, and so do we! Super easy to clean and refill, long-lasting, and the treat refills don't smell bad like other dog treats! Our sweet boy recently began to lose mobility in his rear end and gets super upset when he is unable to get around independently; this gives him the comfort he needs to just relax and lie down while enjoying a treat!" —Elizabeth Price: $19.99+ (available in three sizes)
A jar of Zesty Paws Aller-Immune Bites for dogs, which are packed with wild-caught Alaskan salmon and probiotics to help keep your pup's immune system in tip-top shape in between vet visits.
Promising review: "My dog Charlie scratches and chews all over himself almost constantly. Since putting him on this chew daily, his symptoms have greatly reduced. He has only been using the product for a week, and every day shows improvement. I'm hoping in a few days, he'll be symptom-free. Furthermore, he thinks he's getting a daily treat and is so excited when I offer him his daily dose. I highly recommend Aller-Immune Bites!" —CharliePrice: $4.97+ (available in three flavors and six quantities)
An engaging jumbler ball if your pup has seemingly endless energy (but you don't). This will surely tire him out and give you a second to just ~chill out.~
Promising review: "Toy is an entertaining, nice squeaker. Our German shepherd plays with this for hours. The toy is challenging to pick up and carry. All of which helps our high energy German shepherd burn off energy." —TracyPrice: $14.99+ (available in two sizes)
An orthopedic dog bed with a removable, machine-washable cover and a wraparound bolster that your doggy will absolutely love snuggling up in.
Promising review: "I bought the XL bed for my 55-pound husky mix. My dog prefers the bolster-style bed for prime cuddling sessions. The quality is top-notch. The center is extremely soft, and the structure of the bed is rigid enough to support my pup all day without feeling like plastic. Overall, this bed exceeded all my needs. He now has a bed in every room, and this one is by far his favorite." —DoYouHaveChangeForADollarPrice: $63.99+ (available in three sizes and two colors)
A sliding sushi-themed puzzle for the dog who is super restless and gets bored easily. This will keep them occupied long enough for you to maybe even get some work done of your own!
Promising review: "Our dog quickly figured out how to get treats out of this puzzle toy, but it is so handy because he loves it, and it calms him and occupies him whenever we leave. Love this!" —LinmarpiePrice: $16.95
A nonskid slow-feeder bowl because your puppy may be known to scarf down the food a little too fast and accidentally make themselves sick.
Promising review: "Our Zoey was a fast eater. By fast, I mean her food was gone in less than a minute. As she aged, we noticed her vomiting and belching more, in part because she was eating so fast. Once we purchased this bowl, it forced her to slow down. It was perfect for our needs. She is enjoying her food, has stopped belching after eating, and we have not had any vomiting issues." —RobynPrice: $5.52+ (originally $9.99+, available in two sizes)
A package of Greenies Pill Pocket treats so giving your dog their meds doesn't have to be a traumatic experience for either of you. I give these to my Chiweenie, and she loves them!
A lot of reviewers compliment these pill pockets for picky dogs and cats that haven't responded as well to other brands. Promising review: "Two of my dogs require medication on a daily basis. There is no way I can manually try to force these meds. I tried another reputable brand of pill pockets, and they worked for a couple of days until my dogs realized that there were pills in them, so I decided to try Greenies Pill Pockets. First of all, the consistency of the pocket was easy to form over the pill. Then came the test of flavor. My dogs love breakfast and dinnertime now that they get the Greenie treat. They don't even blink. I love these!" —CiscoPrice: $8.96+ (available in four flavors, four quantities, and two capsule sizes)
A hip health and joint-function supplement fortified with glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM if your doggy has arthritis and needs a little pain relief.
Promising review: "My almost 6-year-old longhaired dachshund has had mild arthritis since she was a baby. I noticed she was having difficulty ambulating. She could no longer go upstairs with me, nor could she step up/off small curbs while walking. I knew this product worked in humans and thought I would try it with my pup. Wow! In one week, she's climbing stairs, jumping on/off curbs, and able to walk further. I give her two soft chews, and they work beautifully. Very affordable at Chewy. I will continue to keep my baby on this product." —MinniePrice: $17.83+ (originally $23.90, available in two styles and four quantities)
A practically indestructible Kong chew toy you can fill with your dog's favorite treat so they can get all their energy out and enjoy a lil' snack at the same time.
Promising review: "Being on the market like forever just might be the proof dog owners need to actually buy this toy. It comes in all dog sizes and has a lot of potential. For my rescue dog, it doesn't need to be stuffed with treats or peanut butter (too fattening). She loves it for the erratic bouncing action. A regular ball bores the heck out of her. Plus, she's exercising more muscle groups, trying to grab a hold of it. And the Kong is about as indestructible as they come. Buy it once and wait 'til the end of days before it wears out." —StephenPrice: $7.99+ (originally $8.99, available in six sizes)
A level-two difficulty Hide N Slide puzzle perfect for the pup who has little to no experience with puzzles. This is a great way to introduce your dog to the world of puzzling!
Promising review: "Love this! You put either kibble or bits of treats in the holes and slide over the cover. It gives my dog a challenge to find and eat the treat, and it takes her a bit of time to get all the holes emptied, yet it is very doable for them to figure it out. They move the slider cover with their nose, and I like the stimulation it gives them." —Nora Price: $17.94 (originally $24.99, available in two colors)
A fleece pet carrier bag with mesh panels and a spring wire frame that's approved by most airlines so your companion can travel in comfort. I have one of these for my dog, and she loves cuddling in it even when we're not traveling!
It also works great for transporting other small pets, like hedgehogs, chinchillas, and bearded dragons!Promising review: "Such an improvement over the large plastic carriers I used to use. Both my cats love these bags and will hang out in them and nap in them if I leave them out after a trip. I think they're just the right size for them to feel cozy and safe. The two entry points are really handy, too. I love that they fold flat for storage, too, since my apartment is pretty small. Would highly recommend!" —KatePrice: $47.99+ (originally $143.99+, available in two sizes)
A flavored tooth-cleaning chew toy if your dog has stinky breath and you want to trick them into taking care of their own teeth, so you don't have to brush them yourself.
Promising review: "My dog has been chewing on the Hartz dog bones that are bacon flavored for the last five years and has perfect teeth. Stopped her from chewing on my shoes when she was younger, too. Still keeps her busy at 7 years old. :) " —Glucas1211Price: $3.47+ (available in four sizes and assorted colors chosen by Chewy)
A set of carpeted pet stairs because some of the shorter doggies may have trouble getting up and down off the couch or bed.
Promising review: "I bought this step for one of our cats who can no longer jump up on the bed due to age, and it works like a charm. He took to it right away and is one happy kitty! These steps are well constructed and sturdy." —ShaundaPrice: $59.99 (available in two colors)
A silicone food bowl mat for the furry friend who makes a huge mess anytime they eat, and you want to make cleanup a little easier.
Promising review: "Both of my cats like to pick up their wet food nuggets and drop them several inches away from the bowl before picking them back up and eating them. I tried wider bowls to relieve whisker tension, but they still dragged the moist morsels away like it was freshly snagged prey. This mat is large enough that they can't drag it too far away and get my floors messy. Perfect solution. I don't put it in the dishwasher, but clean up is still super easy with a soapy paper towel, then quick rinse." —DaniPrice: $13.99+ (available in two sizes and two colors)
A container of calming chicken-flavored hemp treats that are perfect for the doggy who gets panicked when traveling or during thunderstorms.
Promising review: "My Great Dane calms down and remains calm to the point of falling asleep. One piece does the trick with her, but two really knock her out. She is just over 100 pounds. You get a lot of treats in one container, so don't balk at the price. Yes, sometimes thunder or the garbage truck makes her bark or wake, but she rarely even gets off the couch if she has had one or two of these. Worth every penny in my book." —MJBoyer8118Price: $32.99+ (available in three sizes and two flavors)
A Zesty Paws Itch-Soother dog shampoo packed with aloe vera, oatmeal, and vitamin E to help your pooch with dry, flaky skin.
Promising review: "We used to use a popular name brand for our dog's shampoo. She never had any skin issues until last winter, when she got super flaky. We switched her to this shampoo and started giving her skin vitamins. This shampoo really helps moisturize her skin without leaving a weird odor, and a little goes a long way during bath time. It was definitely a great purchase!" —mm13Price: $15.47 (also available in a two-pack)
A volcano and dinosaur hide-and-seek toy your pup will have so much fun taking apart. Plus, it's also a squeaky toy, so they will have the added bonus of auditory stimulation.
Promising review: "My dog loves these toys, and he was thrilled. He just kept pulling out dinosaur after dinosaur! Six of them, and all of them decently sized. This really is a great value, and the toys are very well made and adorable." —TaylorPrice: $14.99
A West Paw chew toy made of a special nontoxic Zogoflex material — that is BPA-, phthalate-, and latex-free — your dog will love chewing on, and that won't damage their teeth like some plastic chew toys might.
Promising review: "I have five dogs. One is a pit mix who destroys all chew toys in the house and has broken teeth on toys that were too hard (more money spent at the vet). My others don't get their chewing needs met because other toys are either destroyed so quickly or removed to protect my busy pit, but THESE toys last months. They are not so hard to hurt my strong chewer's teeth, and all my dogs love them! My pups stay occupied for hours on end with these. I ordered five large and my home became the happiest home on the planet. Definitely worth the money. Also, both Chewy and West Paw have such EXCELLENT customer service that you can't go wrong. Thank you, Chewy!" —SharlsPrice: $12.95+ (available in three sizes)
A Furminator pet hair deshedding brush to help your doggo get rid of excess hair that may be overheating them in the summertime weather. Plus, you'll be able to see your couch again since it won't be covered in hair anymore!
Promising review: "I am so amazed with this brush! I have tried several brushes and the bristles always end up breaking and they never get deep down to the undercoat. However, this brush is sturdy and no broken pieces after several uses! I love that there is a fur release button to get the stubborn hairs out of the brush. My dog gets so excited when it's time to get brushed and he was like a brand-new dog after using this for the first time!" —NicolePrice: $31.85+ (originally $37.49+; available in three sizes and colors)
An elevated bed so your puppy can have the perfect spot to lounge outside beside you while you're enjoying your favorite book in the sunshine.
Promising review: "My dog loves her new bed and so do I. She sleeps in it all day long. It keeps her cooler than any of the other beds she has had. She sleeps on it with her blankets, no problem. No more laying on the hard floor to keep herself cool. With this bed, she stays cool and comfortable." —4dogsPrice: $16.99+ (available in three sizes and four colors)
A natural paw balm because you want to protect those precious toe beans from hot summer asphalt and harsh salt in the winter.
Promising review: "We live in a condominium complex that hires snow plowers to do our parking lots and sidewalks. Unfortunately, they salted everything heavily once the initial plowing was finished. Every dog we've had in the 28 years we've lived here starts out their walks so frisky and happy, and five minutes into it, they're lifting paws and stopping due to the salt, which super-cools the ice, and consequently their poor little paws. One of my friends found this product and used it every winter with her dog, and always said how effective it was. So I thought I would buy a tin and try it. Yup! It's like magic! I work a small amount on each pad and in between her toes, and we're good to go! It's a reasonably priced product, and I highly recommend trying it!" —MaryPrice: $15.99+ (originally $16.99+, available in three sizes)
A package of presoaked tear stain wipes to gently clean away your pup's eye goop. These are especially great for dogs with white fur, where you can clearly see the stains.
Promising review: "I'm very impressed with these pads. A dog who was staying with me for a few weeks arrived with very matted, crusty eyes. I ordered and received the eye pads, used them 2x daily, and they cleared up! She loved it!" —AngelPrice: $11 (originally $12.99)
An adorable raincoat if it feels like pulling teeth to get your pup to go outside when it's raining. Plus, now you won't have to towel dry them after a walk in a storm.
Promising review: "So cute, and great functionally! Kept my dog dry during our last walk through heavy rain. The hood is a bit bigger than my dog needs; it falls into her eyes sometimes, but it's an easily solved problem and works wonderfully otherwise!" —JackyPrice: $12.99+ (available in seven sizes, two colors, and with or without a personalization option)
An LED light-up collar so your pup can remain visible while it's dark out for extra safety. And who doesn't love a puppy rave moment??
Promising review: "These things are so bright, they're amazing. Our dogs run loose, supervised, around our property, and you can see the dogs from hundreds of feet away. Three dogs, three different colors, it's so easy to keep track of them and know when to call them back if they get too far. We only use them when we are walking our property with the dogs, but we go out quite a few times before I recharge them." —JustinPrice: $18.99+ (originally $24.99, available in four sizes and seven colors)
A variety pack of dental chews in fun shapes so your doggy can enjoy a yummy chewy experience while also getting their teeth sneakily cleaned.
Promising review: "My bulldog didn't want me brushing her teeth. The vet said to try these. Now I say 'whimsey,' and my dog runs to get one! She gets one a day and loves them! And she has great teeth! I am SO happy to have found these!!!!" —ChelseaPrice: $34.77+ (originally $38.99+, available in two sizes)
And finally, a big package of freeze-dried beef liver treats your pup will absolutely go gah-gah over. My dog's vet has these, and it makes her actually enjoy going to the vet.
Promising review: "At first, Willow wasn't quite sure about these freeze-dried beef liver treats. The texture gave her a moment of 'paws' (pun intended). But once she took that first crunchy bite, it was game over — she's absolutely hooked! Now, these treats are her go-to favorite. She'll sit, stay, and maybe even do a backflip if it means getting one. The 14-ounce tub is the perfect size to keep her tail wagging without running out too soon. If your pup needs a high-value treat to bring out their inner superstar, these are a must-try! Willow gives them two paws up!" —KathyPrice: $4.99+ (originally $5.99+; available in five sizes and in a pack of two)
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
Anna Delvey breaks silence after dumped bunnies social media backlash
Anna Delvey is breaking her silence after being accused of dumping multiple rabbits used during a photoshoot in New York City. The "Dancing with the Stars" alum and convicted con artist took to her Instagram Story on Aug. 11 to address now-viral claims that she left two rabbits that were found abandoned in Brooklyn's Prospect Park. The backlash follows Delvey posting a photo carousel with the pair of bunnies and a companion video last week on social media. Delvey explained that a person named Christian Batty, who she described as a "member of the hair team I briefly met" during fashion week last year, had said he "knew someone who could lend us bunnies for a few hours." "I later discovered that, instead of borrowing animals from a legitimate source like (Batty) claimed, he had obtained them via Facebook Marketplace and intended to release them into Prospect Park," Delvey wrote in a lengthy note to fans. "(It was) a plan of which I had no knowledge," Delvey continued. "The idea that someone would compromise the well-being of innocent animals for personal networking opportunities is deeply disturbing to me." In an Aug. 12 statement to USA TODAY, Delvey said that "I'm appalled, and frankly terrified, by the violent threats and hundreds of vile, harassing messages flooding my social media." "I've provided overwhelming proof of my innocence, yet nothing seems to satisfy the performatively outraged masses whose only real aim is to churn hate in my comments and DMs," Delvey added. USA TODAY also reached out to reps for Jasper Egan Soloff, a photographer who worked on the shoot. According to People and The New York Times, Batty released statements on since-deleted social media pages addressing the incident and saying "I felt overwhelmed and made the worst possible choice." 'Dancing With the Stars' Anna Delvey elimination episode received historic fan votes Delvey (aka Anna Sorokin) is the real-life subject of the Netflix series "Inventing Anna" from Shonda Rhimes and served a prison sentence for swindling banks, hotels, and rich friends with a false reputation as a wealthy German heiress. Delvey said on Instagram that she was "appalled by what transpired," adding that "it's not my job to source or return animals" as talent. "But as an animal lover, I can promise I will never work with them again without knowing exactly where they came from and how they're getting home," she added. "I do not eat meat, and I had no involvement in the acquisition, transport or return of these animals. I would never condone these actions." After Delvey posted the photoshoot on social media, vegan influencer Terry Chao said in a post that she noticed that the bunnies from the photo were the same ones she had helped with two neighbors after she saw that there were lost bunnies found in the New York City park in a local Facebook group. "Animals are not props, they are beautiful, living things that we need to honor and cherish," Chao added.


NBC News
2 hours ago
- NBC News
Anna Sorokin says she received hundreds of death threats over bunnies abandoned in Brooklyn park
Anna "Delvey" Sorokin says she's received hundreds of death threats in the days since was was accused of dumping pet rabbits she posed with for a photoshoot in a Brooklyn park. The fake German heiress who stole tens of thousands of dollars from banks posed alongside three bunnies on the streets of Manhattan's posh Tribeca neighborhood last week. The bunnies were recognized and discovered in Brooklyn's Prospect Park days later, prompting fierce online backlash. But the headline-making New York City socialite — who vehemently denied responsibility for the discarded bunnies — said in an interview with NBC News that she's particularly shocked by the strong reaction over the incident. 'It just seems to me like everything I do is just wrong," Sorokin, 34, said in a phone call with NBC News. "I can never do right by these people.' Sorokin shared screenshots of dozens of hateful messages she's received within the last few days to her Instagram — which she called "unusable" — with NBC News. Some of them suggest that she she should be killed or take her own life, including one that advises Sorokin to get someone to "make a carpet out of your skin." 'It seems like a lot of these people, just because they're engaged in animal rescue, they feel like they're entitled to insult you or talk to you or say anything because they're hiding behind this thing that they're doing,' she said. The 34-year-old, whose life was depicted in Netflix's hit 2022 series "Inventing Anna," took the photoshoot with the bunnies on August 3 to create content for her Instagram account, which has more than 1.1 million followers. Shortly before the shoot, she posted on Instagram story asking if any of her followers in the New York City metropolitan area had a pet rabbit she could borrow for the shoot, Sorokin said. Christian Batty, a 19-year-old hair stylist Sorokin met briefly last year, reached out to her and offered what he described as a friend's rabbits, she said. Sorokin added that she paid Batty to provide the rabbits and for his Uber to return the rabbits to their owner in Yonkers — or so she thought. A screenshot of the Uber receipt Sorokin shared with NBC News show the ride's drop off location was just south of Prospect Park, where the rabbits were later spotted. Days later, she said she started receiving messages on social media about the rabbits being spotted in Prospect Park. A Facebook user posted images of the domesticated bunnies in the park to a public Facebook group dedicated to rabbits, House Rabbit Society, and other users connected them to Sorokin's photos. Sorokin initially thought the posts were fake, but the flood of messages did not stop. At first, Batty denied dumping the rabbits in the park, according to screenshots of text messages between Sorokin, Batty and photographer Jasper Soloff that Sorokin posted on her Instagram story and shared with NBC News. "Jasper had no knowledge or input as to how the bunnies were obtained or what happened to them after the photo shoot," Soloff's attorney, Gary Adelman, said in a statement. Batty did not immediately return a request for comment. Hours later, Batty confessed that he did dump the rabbits and absolved Sorokin of any involvement, according to a statement he posted to his Instagram account, which has since been taken down. "When I realized the rabbits were being surrendered to me, I panicked," Batty said in the statement, screenshots of which were provided by Sorokin. "At 19, with no experience caring for animals, no pet-friendly housing, and no knowledge of available resources, I felt overwhelmed and made the worst possible choice." "Believing, mistakenly, that there were existing rabbits in that area, I released them there, thinking that was my best option," he added. Sorokin pushed back on the notion that Batty's age was an issue. "He's old enough to move to New York and live on his own, he should have enough common sense to handle rabbits," Sorokin said. "We're not like asking him to do anything that requires high IQ from him. I just don't know what to say." Sorokin said that she was concerned about how the incident might affect her pending immigration case. Sorokin was convicted by a Manhattan jury in April 2019 on four counts of theft services, three counts of grand larceny and one count of attempted grand larceny after being accused of defrauding banks and friends of tens of thousands of dollars. Prosecutors said that Sorokin convinced friends and businesses to loan her money to afford a lavish lifestyle under the guise that she was the daughter of a oil baron or diplomat, worth tens of millions of dollars. In 2021, Sorokin was released on parole while she fights deportation. She has been forced to wear an electronic ankle monitor and cannot leave a 75-mile house arrest radius based in New York. "This time, I've done nothing wrong," she said. "And I had the best intentions and it's really frustrating." The New York Times reported that the rabbits were rescued by blogger Terry Chao, who spotted the rabbits in the park. Chao could not immediately be reached for comment. Sorokin said she donated $1,000 to the group All About Rabbits Rescue in the aftermath of the scandal. She also denied harming the rabbits by putting them in leashes, as some have suggested online. "I don't know, I'm not a bunny professional. I didn't know the leashes were such a big deal," she said. "We would put them down for, I don't know, a minute or two, take a picture and pick them up. We were not walking them by any means. And they seemed to be happy."


Los Angeles Times
5 hours ago
- Los Angeles Times
Nic Novicki's life looking up at the world helped him reach new heights in comedy
Nearly two decades ago, Nic Novicki was another young comedian living in Queens, testing his mettle in the competitive New York City comedy scene. There, he shared not just an apartment, but a living room separated by a sheet with another up-and-comer trying to make a name for himself: Nate Bargatze. They shared an apartment with fellow comedians Dustin Chafin and Rich Aronovitch. Fast forward 20 years, and Bargatze is one of the most popular comedians around, selling out arenas across the country. And, he hasn't forgotten his old friend. Novicki frequently tours with him, bringing those humble beginnings to larger audiences than they ever imagined, including taking their act to the high seas on the Nateland cruise this February. 'We would perform shows together every night, and then I would stay with them when I would go back to New York [from L.A.],' Novicki tells The Times over Zoom. 'It started with five people at a show in New York, and then clubs, and suddenly, things got bigger and bigger. It's been one of my biggest thrills to step out on stage and see that many people.' As a little person standing 3 feet 10, Novicki has a unique perspective from a physical and emotional standpoint, which he brings to his comedy. Some of his most rewarding projects have involved his work with Easterseals, the nation's largest disability services organization. With them, he's organized the Disability Film Challenge, which launched nearly 13 years ago. It's an annual five-day filmmaking competition where people with disabilities are either in front of or behind the camera, and make a film related to a specific genre — this year, for example, the theme was thriller and suspense. 'I created this film competition 12 years ago because I was always making my own content,' he says. 'The story of my life has been, as a comedian, to get up on stage and do as much as you can rather than wait for the industry to come to me.' In addition to comedic endeavors, Novicki has made a name for himself as an actor. He was a regular on the HBO series 'Boardwalk Empire' and appeared on 'The Sopranos,' 'Loudermilk,' 'The Neighbors' and 'Drop Dead Diva.' We spoke with the Culver City-based comedian ahead of his slot at the Burbank Comedy Festival next week, where he breaks down his stand-up routine, opening for Nate and his perspective on comedy as a little person, as well as why the work he's done with Easterseals has been so imperative. Do you have a different approach when you're performing in front of thousands at an arena show with Nate versus a club show? My act is focused on storytelling. A lot of what I do is kind of story-based about my life and the interactions that have happened. Nowadays, it's with my family, and my daughters are a huge part of it. Regardless of the size of the venue. For example, if I'm doing a late-night set at the Comedy Store or another comedy club, my act stays the same. Ultimately, I'm at that stage in my life. I do the same bits, and there's no need for me to feel like I need to be edgier. The same bits will work late night or early in the day when Nate has an early show. Recently, I did a show that was really fun called BYOB — bring your own baby. Where was that and what was it like? It was at [Santa Monica comedy club] the Crow. My wife brought our baby. Ultimately, I've always been able and comfortable talking about who I am. I've always done well with kids, which was the origin [of comedy] for me. When I was 10 or 11 years old, I started doing speeches that raised money for the Little People of America. I would perform at Rotary Clubs, and I remember early on, I would be standing behind a podium, be like, 'Oh, did you guys forget the stool here? What's going on?' It would be the Invisible Man bit, and everybody laughed. I realized then that I had everybody, and they were paying attention. Even at that age, you understood showbiz. You knew how to work an audience. It's funny. I didn't think of it as a comedian, but I was doing a version of stand-up comedy. Growing up on the East Coast and being a little person, I used comedy as a way to break the ice, and also be like, 'Hey, let's be funny and lighten the situation.' When did you decide to pursue comedy as a career? I started doing stand-up comedy during my freshman year of college at Temple University in Philadelphia. I went there to study business, but I was like, 'What is this?' It's a great city for comedy, and now, in a full circle of wildness, we [Bargatze and he] are performing two shows at the Wells Fargo Center. There are these different places that I haven't been to in a long time, like Erie, Pa., where I have family. Thanks to comedy, going back there for the first time to perform in a giant arena with Nate is pretty wild. What is it about both of your comedic styles that appeals to so many? Aside from Nate being one of my best friends, he's just the best at what he does. Both of us have very similar sensibilities and senses of humor. It's been great for me because I don't have to change my style of comedy to fit with his. When I was starting, I was never dirty, but maybe I'd swear a little. I realized so much of my life is about being in the Little People of America. Little people and people with disabilities are asking me for advice about how I was able to create my own projects. Ultimately, that's the kind of comedy that I'm drawn to, and it's part of my daily life. I'm proud to be a little person. I'm proud to be who I am, and I can't hide it. It's not easy, though, to get the audience to laugh at something uncomfortable. In this case, laughing with you about your disability. I'm 3-10. So it's not like I could be not 3-10, so it's part of what my world is. My wife is little, and I've grown up in Little People of America. It's not entirely what I'm about as a comedian — I like to talk about things other than my height, but it is a part of who I am. I'm a storyteller, and the situations that happen involve my height. Whether it's dropping my daughter off at daycare … these are real-life situations that happen. Rather than be uncomfortable in the moment, I've embraced it, laughed and been OK with just having that discussion in that moment. I look at the positive and the comedy of a situation because it's something that I find funny, rather than being upset by it, like being patient and asking someone to help me press a button in an elevator. This may sound crazy, but I've met so many people by asking for help, like reaching for a plate. Now, I have a connection with this person that I wouldn't have had. As a comedian, I think you have to be open to life and what happens, and be able to comment on it. The Easterseals Disability Film Challenge is a significant source of pride for you. Now, nearly 13 years later, what do you see as its legacy? It's grown so much. Since partnering with Easterseals Southern California, we've had 850 films created from around the world. We have our awards ceremony at Sony Pictures every year. Nate has presented alongside the Farrelly brothers, Phil Lord and Chris Miller. I feel like the disability community is a community, and it's something I'm so proud to be a part of. I've made so many friends and forged lifelong bonds with both little people and through the Film Challenge. Much like my comedy career, it's been a gradual climb. It's been the long game for me, as an actor and comedian with the Film Challenge. My whole vision is to do as much as you can, and I think the world wants to see more disability representation. I do a regular show at Flappers in Burbank where I headline, and it's Nic Novicki and friends. I always have a disabled comic from the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge perform to highlight them. I love having that world where people can get themselves out there, and that was always the mission. Initially, the Disability Film Challenge was going to be a one-off competition where I helped disabled friends who asked me for advice, and allowed them to make a film and tell their own stories. After that first one, right away, casting directors started reaching out to me asking how to get in touch with a guy in a wheelchair, and all of a sudden, we had five films that first year. All of these films are starring and created by people with disabilities. It's been great to see the number of jobs that have come from this, and something I'm incredibly proud of. It's funny. I was in New York City with a group of people, and I was like, 'I know every little person in the world,' and they were like, 'Yeah, sure, sure, you do.' So we're walking on Madison Avenue, and a little person popped up out of nowhere and said, 'Hey, Nick, what's up?' I looked at them and said, 'You see?' I swear to God, it was sitcom-esque timing, but it really happened.