True or False?

Dogs know that the animals on TV aren’t real.

(scroll to the bottom to find the answer!)

Becoming Elphaba takes grit, patience, and, if you’re Cynthia Erivo, a pair of tiny dogs curled up in your lap. In a behind-the-scenes video from the Wicked: For Good makeup trailer, Erivo sits wrapped in a robe as her team paints her signature green skin and fits her prosthetics. The transformation can take up to four hours, but her dogs make every minute better. They stay tucked against her as the makeup artists work, offering the kind of steady comfort only a dog can give.

Fans get the fantasy when the cameras roll, but it’s these moments that show the heart behind the role. Erivo has shared how she sees Elphaba’s joy, humor, and softness as central to the character, and her dogs seem to bring out that same warmth in her.

It’s a sweet reminder that even during the most demanding days, a dog’s presence can ground you. For Cynthia Erivo, becoming Elphaba is a team effort, starring two very good little co-stars.

Meet today’s dog of the day! With soulful eyes and the softest curls, this Cavalier King Charles Spaniel knows how to steal hearts from the comfort of the couch.

Thanks to Daily Dig reader Christine for sharing this gentle sweetheart! Want your dog featured in The Daily Dig? Send us a photo and a few fun facts. We’d love to feature them.

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Wicked: For Good may have hit theaters in November, but the fan frenzy has been building for years, and now it’s showing up in the dog world. The newly released Top Trending Pet Names report reveals that “Elphie,” the nickname for Elphaba, is officially the fastest-rising new pet name of the year. It jumped an incredible 244% since last year, making it the top trending name for female pets and the top trending puppy name overall.

To find this result, more than a million pet names were analyzed, focusing on dogs under two years old born between August 2024 and September 2025. The goal was simple: capture the themes shaping new pet parents right now. And clearly, Wicked fans have spoken.

The Broadway-to-big-screen magic isn’t the only cinematic influence making waves, though. “Mufasa” from The Lion King also climbed the charts, joining names like Caesar, Tsuki, Rumi, and Jelly Bean in this year’s rising favorites.

Whether it’s the power of Elphaba’s story or the irresistible charm of calling a puppy “Elphie,” one thing is clear: pop culture is leading the pack.

From Broadway pups to ancient roots, here’s what’s making tails wag:

• 🐶 Explore the dog family tree through time

• 🐕 How dog owners get good sleep for the holidays

• 🫧 This pup dressed as Glinda is adorable

• ✨ Golden retriever puppy obsessed with Wicked

Daily Dig is inspired and brought to you by our wonderful dogs. Our dogs, and all the other pups out there, make the world a happier, brighter place. ❤️

With lots of love,

Stitcher, Minnie, & Finnegan 🐾

🦴 A Little Treat

🤔 True or False: False-ish. They know the “smell is missing,” but respond to movement and noises as if real.

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