Yep. Dakota and Meadow licked the hand of our state's Governor. On a recent trip up North, my husband Brian was trying to decipher a trail map to keep us from hiking down the wrong path, when a family of three came up the direction we were debating on taking. The woman offered some directional advice and recommended we steer clear of certain trails.

Brian and the woman chatted for a bit, while Meadow nudged the hand of the young girl. The girl patted Meadow on the head, I praised Meadow for sitting nicely, when the man of the trio said, "I have some Milk Bone pieces in my pocket. Do you mind if I give them a treat?"

"Sure," I said. "They'd love it…watch your fingers, the white one sometimes snaps."

Then I looked into the face of our Governor.

"Well…hello!" I exclaimed, rather more loudly than the situation required, as he was standing right next to me.

I introduced myself, Brian and the dogs. We chatted about the weather and how muddy the white dog was getting. Told each other to have a good day, then headed our separate ways. I must admit I was rather flustered by the exchange. Whereas Pawlenty was very soft spoken, I think I was yelling at him while I talked. How embarrassing. I obviously don't meet many famous people.

I started thinking how great a PR move it would be for Solid Gold if Pawlenty doled out their treats instead of bits of Milk Bone. The Governor giving my dogs treats was pretty much the equivalent of him kissing someone's baby.

"Girls!" I said. "You just got a treat possibly from our next Vice President!" By then, however, their attentions were focused on the chipmunk that scampered across our path and we headed down the trail that the First Lady recommend we take.