Mark Dayton, Minnesota's dog-loving governor, has a new puppy, a German shepherd he named Wanamingo, two months after his beloved 8-year-old dog died.

Wanamingo, or "Mingo," will make her debut to the media at the governor's residence in St. Paul on Sunday afternoon.

Dakota, one of Dayton's two black German shepherds, died of cancer in January. He has another dog named Mesabi.

On Feb. 13, Dayton posted the following on his Facebook page: "You've heard of an RFP: a Request For Proposal. Well, I'm putting out my own RFP: Request For a Puppy! I'm looking for a female German shepherd puppy, just born or on the way, preferably all-black (like my Dakota and Mesabi), or close to it. Please let me know, if you see her around!"

No word on whether the posting led to him acquiring Wanamingo.

BOB VON STERNBERG