When book editor Jessica Solberg met Jag for the first time, she knew Montana's first dog would make for a good story about adventure and government.

The question was, if Jag could talk, what kind of story would he tell?

"When I learned more about Jag's personality and history -- when the governor said he was the last dog born in the litter and grew up to become Montana's first dog -- it seemed like that was a great jumping off point for the story," said Solberg.

Solberg and Bozeman illustrator Robert Rath teamed up to create the new children's book, "First Dog: Unleashed in the Montana Capitol."

Written by Solberg and illustrated by Rath, the story follows Jag from a farm in Whitefish to the governor's office at the Capitol.

There, the cow dog goes from a shy pup to having his own special job in the Capitol halls.

He discovers what governors do, and during the legislative session, he also learns the inner workings of Montana government.

"When Jessica called and said she wanted to talk to me about a book, I was excited," said Gov. Brian Schweitzer. "I thought she was coming in to write a book about me. Imagine my surprise when she said she wanted to write a book about my dog!"

Solberg, a Helena native, is no stranger to Montana politics. She admits a fondness for government, the Capitol, and the legislative sessions that come around every two years.

But she's often wondered how kids growing up outside Helena viewed state government.

"I imagined some kids might think government isn't for them," Solberg said. "But it's for all of us, and I wanted to reinforce that in this story.

"Jag came from the farm and he found his place at the Capitol. He's the Canine Special Assistant to the Governor."

Even in life, Jag rarely leaves Schweitzer's side.

He sits in on press conferences and special events, and even rides in the plane, curled up quietly under Schweitzer's seat.

Telling a dog's story from a first-person point of view presented its share of challenges. Drawing the state's first dog, as Jag is now known, was something else entirely.

Rath, who grew up making his own illustrated books, took dozens of photographs of the Capitol, the dog and the 2006 legislative session.

The images helped Rath illustrate everything from Schweitzer's desk to Jag's chew toys scattered on the floor.

"Figuring out how to make Jag look like he looks, but have expressions and not be too cartoonish was tricky," Rath said. "When you finally hit the right combination of features and proportions, you can draw them at different angles.

"There's a reasonable amount of geometry that goes into."

Designed for kids 7 to 9 years old, the book is more than a simple cartoon.

It sheds light on state government and looks to inspire young Montanans to follow their dreams, suggesting they too can become the state's next governor.

"I imagined Jag having fears of leaving the farm and coming to the Capitol and being the only dog there," Solberg said. "I imagined how he must feel being knee high and not fitting in. I thought there were connections to that and how kids might feel about government."

Rath added, "I liked that we could show the workings of the Capitol and give kids an inside look at how the governing process works by using the dog, and not have to get into any political agendas or parties."

Schweitzer said that despite his tax cuts, investment in education and bolstering of the economy, Jag still gets all the attention.

"He's the smart one and got all the looks," Schweitzer said. "But he hasn't warmed up the lobbyists, and neither have I. It's a good thing we've got each other."

As Jag pionts out, dogs aren't Democrats or Republicans, they're just dogs.

Solberg said Schweitzer and his staff supported the project from the beginning.

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House of Montana.

"The governor had Jag do tricks for me," Solberg said. "He twirled around and sat and he tried to shake. He's a little character."

Reporter Martin Kidston can be reached at 447-4086, or at mkidston@helenair.com