Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) drew a crowd Tuesday afternoon while carrying Dakota, his loyal canine companion, down the escalator toward the Capitol subway. Dakota has been undergoing treatment for cancer, making fewer appearances in the Capitol since the fall.

“He is so totally into it,” Conrad said.

Conrad, chairman of the Budget Committee, is looking at a packed agenda from now until the lame-duck session, which will likely feature debates on tax cuts, the sequester and other big-ticket items.

So while Dakota might be ready for more quality time with the Senator, the pooch will likely have a hard time avoiding tough questions on the budget, the farm bill and his fuzzy exterior until December.

— Lauren Gardner