Washington, D.C. Has Dog Fever

By Katherine Skiba, Washington Whispers

Add North Dakota Sen. Kent Conrad of North Dakota and his wife, Lucy, to Washington's list of new dog owners. Theirs is a bichon fris é from a shelter. His name was Marvin, but neither of the Conrads liked that. He pushed for Franklin, as in Benjamin Franklin. Lucy argued for Rocco, a nod to her Italian heritage. The compromise: Dakota. Says Conrad, "This little dog is going to become a frequent participant in my office deliberations."

Check out more Washington Whispers.