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For Corbett canines, three's a crowd

HARRISBURG - Polls, politics, and partisanship were not the only things Tom Corbett left behind when he vacated the governor's mansion early this year.

Harry, Penny and Britta. (Photo from Tom Corbett's Facebook page)
Harry, Penny and Britta. (Photo from Tom Corbett's Facebook page)Read more

HARRISBURG - Polls, politics, and partisanship were not the only things Tom Corbett left behind when he vacated the governor's mansion early this year.

He also left Britta, one of his pooches.

For the last six months of Corbett's term, the German shepherd had been the lesser-known stepsister in the governor's mansion.

Harry and Penny, two Airedale terriers the first couple had adopted as pups, were raised nearly to the status of First Children - paraded for the cameras and showcased on the Corbetts' holiday cards.

Britta, older and very sweet, had belonged to their daughter, Kate. When Kate Corbett's son turned out to be allergic, Britta landed in the governor's residence, an estate near the banks of the Susquehanna River.

But in moving back to the Pittsburgh area after his loss to Gov. Wolf, the Corbetts decided they could not accommodate three large dogs in their much smaller home - the house in which Corbett grew up, according to a family spokesman.

It was a hard decision, and Britta drew the short bone.

Corbett was unavailable Friday to discuss Britta or her fate. But "he misses her and checks in on her," spokesman Kevin Harley said.

Britta now lives with the manager of the governor's residence, Tammy McClenaghan, in her home outside Harrisburg, and by all accounts is enjoying a Cinderella-worthy existence.

McClenaghan said she occasionally brings the dog to the governor's residence to visit her old stomping grounds. McClenaghan said she also sends the Corbetts photos of Britta.

"She is such a good dog," said McClenaghan. "And I was lucky to get her. There was a line of people who wanted her."

There has long been public fascination with the pets of powerful public officials, which is not lost on their owners, who often make a big to-do when introducing their fur babies to the world. The Corbetts were no exception.

In 2011, his first year in office, Corbett introduced the terrier pups to much fanfare: a crowded photo-op at the residence on a hot and sticky August day.

The first couple held a statewide contest for children to recommend names for the pooches. Harry (for Harrisburg) and Penny (for Pennsylvania) were the winners. In the years that followed, both dogs were often featured on Corbett's and Susan Corbett's social media pages.

Britta's debut was decidedly less dramatic. Susan Corbett made the announcement on her Facebook page last summer.

"Meet Britta - a six-year-old German Shepherd and the newest member of the Corbett family. Harry and Penny are adjusting well to their older sibling. #FirstDogs," she wrote last June 26 under pictures of the three dogs.

Later that summer, the governor shared a photo of the three for National Dog Day. And Britta made it into this year's Corbett Christmas card.

Those who know Corbett, often described as enjoying the company of his dogs more than that of humans, say he was torn to leave her behind. But he is relieved that Britta is doing well, according to Harley.

"She is in a happy home," he said.