PA's First Pups are here

The Airedale puppies have moved into the Governor's Residence, and as of this morning, they've got official names: Penny and Harry.

The governor and first lady introduced the pooches to the Capitol press corps this morning, and the brother-and-sister pair were hams for the camera.

Sue Corbett said Penny, the female, is the mischievous one (as she spoke, Penny was untying and chewing on Mr. Corbett's shoelace). Harry, named for the capital city, spent most of the press conference sprawled on the wood floor.

The pups are the fourth and fifth Airedales that the Corbetts have owned, and their first duo. Their names were chosen out of entries from Pennsylvania children, with four different kids submitting the winning set of names.

Among the other suggestions: Reese and Cocoa, Dutch (a GOP nod), Wyatt and Josie, Libby and Bell. Corbett said he liked Bucco and Phillie, but unfortunately no one submitted that pair.

The dogs were paid for by the Corbetts personally, and were purchased from a hobby breeder in Tunkhannock who asked to remain anonymous.

And no, Corbett said, they aren't a ploy to win over those female voters, who showed a smidge more affection for the governor in this morning's Quinnipiac poll.

"This is just part of who we are," he said in response to a question. "I've always had dogs. If people like dogs and that helps, so be it."