"This book is incredible. It's a great children's book. It's great because it's at a dog's point of view."
-Tobin, age 8

"I like this book because I like dogs a lot. I have 4 dogs. I also like the facts. And I like how Jag was the smallest dog in his family. He's a cutie pie."
-Quinn, age 9

"Meet Jag, Montana's first Dog, chicken chaser, kid-licker and champion of democracy. In this literary debut by Governor Brian Schweitzer's border collie, Jag tells his life story from a Whitefish farm litter to the marbled hallways of the state capitol.

Along the way we get a lesson in civics: how state government works, what a governor does, what bills are and how to dodge a boring meeting through the governor's secret passageway. All this through the brown-and-blue eyes of a runt pup that learns and teaches the biggest lesson in democracy: that even the last pup of the litter can grow up to be First Dog.

It's geared to the 6- to 12-year-old set, Jag's natural audience. He got some help from writer Jessica Solberg and illustrator Robert Rath, who presumably remained faithful to Jag's original inspiration.

You can't ask more from a modest, picturesque memoir like this one. After I read it to my 4-year-old, I overheard her singing about mermaids and unicorns that live in the governor's office. Civics lesson complete."

-Krys Holmes, Montana Magazine

"With a Border Collie's quick intelligence and a sharp nose for lobbyists, Jag has become a permanent fixture in the capitol building. He's also 'author' of the briskly selling book First Dog: Unleashed in the Montana Capitol, a children’s book that explains the workings of government to future voters (ages seven to nine). Written by Jessica Solberg and illustrated by Robert Rath, the hardcover sold 1,000 copies in five days. 'What I like most about the book,' says Schweitzer, 'is the vision of all across Montana, in all the Republican homes, they’re tucking their nine-year-olds into bed, and the kids are saying, "Please, please, read me the story about Jag again."'"

-Charles Finn, The Bark

"A little history, a few lessons on government, and a whole lot of tail wagging, barking, and squirrel chasing accompany Jag, Gov. Brian Schweitzer's border collie, as he makes himself at home in the state capitol.

In their lively children's book, Bozeman writer Jessica Solberg and illustrator Robert Rath follow Jag through a day on the job as the governor's Canine Special Assistant and Security Dog. Adventures abound, as Jag meets city dogs, gets a pep talk from Sid the Squirrel, takes a few lessons in government from Phoebe the Pigeon, and accompanies the governor on a parade through Glendive.

At the end, Jag concludes that he has an important job after all: 'I help the governor make friends with the people of Montana... and I inspire even the littlest kids — and pups — to dream big.'

In First Dog, Jag also accomplishes the refreshing feat of sidestepping politics while inspiring young readers to take an interest in government."

Kristi Niemeyer, Montana State of the Arts