Around the Rivers: Moon Boy Submits Winner in Contest to Name Gov. Corbett's Dog

Naming the First Dogs of Pennsylvania is no easy task.

Just ask 4-year-old Michael Santicola. The Moon preschooler had a hand in naming Gov. Tom Corbett's recently adopted pair of Airedale terrier pups.

Michael's mother, Michele Santicola, said her family learned last month while watching a local news broadcast that the governor was holding a for the dogs.

More than 500 children under age 12 participated in the contest in addition to Michael and his 7-year-old sister.

"We talked about names that had to do with Pennsylvania," Santicola said. "My daughter learned that the [mountain] laurel was the state flower, so she suggested Laurel as a name. My son thought of Harry for Harrisburg." 

It was Harry that stuck. This week, Gov. Corbett announced that his newly adopted 11-week-old sibling puppies would be named Harry and Penny.

Penny for Pennsylvania and Harry for Harrisburg, that is. 

"He was so excited when he found out he won," Santicola said.

Michael's name has been listed among more than a dozen children from across the state who also suggested Keystone State-inspired names. Santicola said three other children also submitted the name Harry.

She said her son is now eagerly awaiting the arrival of an autographed photograph of Gov. Corbett in the mail.

And if Michael gets his way, he may soon have the chance to put his dog-naming skills to good use again.

"Now he wants a dog," said Santicola. "I though, 'Okay, he'll name someone else's dog.' But now he wants his own. So we have that wrinkle."