buildings. >> one of my dogs escaped and the chairman of my committee found the dog drinking out of his toilet. so he was walking down the hallway saying, whose dog is this? >> reporter: senator kent conrad said his dog dakota is even more popular than him. >> we've even gotten to the point where senators, when i am going to meetings call up and ask if i can bring dakota along with me. >> reporter: snuggles and koda give senator scott brown protection during fierce negotiations. >> people have a very serious issue and are ready to rip my head off and i walk in with kota and they are like, well, we can't yell at him because kota will get mad. >> reporter: members of congress have been bringing their dogs to capitol hill for years. since the 19th century. it's a funny tti very serious ple bu dogs helps to lower the mood. >> it tends to, i