Wild about Prince Harry
St. John’s couple give family pets the royal treatment
He was known to be a bit wild in his younger days, but Prince Harry has grown more mature and mellow in the years since. Even so, he still loves a good belly rub and back scratches. Prince Harry, a purebred corgi, lives in the East End of St. John’s with his adopted parents Tammy Hynes and Craig Brown. Much like his human namesake, Prince Harry has already travelled widely and made a lasting impression on those who know him.
“He’ll be three in November,” said Tammy, “but he’ll always be mommy’s little boy.” Prince Harry was born in Colorado Springs, Colo., to a friend of Craig’s who breeds corgis to herd such livestock as cattle and sheep. She put some of her puppies up for adoption on her Facebook page, and that’s where Tammy and Craig first spotted the furry redhead.
“She sent us pictures of the nine puppies. He was just the most handsome and the biggest,” said Tammy.
At the time, Tammy and Craig were living in California. Tammy, originally from Renews, was a school principal. Craig, a California native, was a police staff-sergeant.
The breeder boarded a plane with Prince Harry and together they travelled west to meet up with Tammy and Craig.
“He was the cutest ball of fluff when I first saw him,” said Tammy. “He jumped into my arms right away.”
REGAL BEAGLE
Although she’s been a lifelong royal watcher, Tammy didn’t think of the Royal Family when it came to naming the dog.
“I had the Princess Diana haircut when I was 14 years old — and I’ve always admired Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother,” she said. “However, I originally wanted to call the pup Hans Solo, because of his short legs and because I’ve always had a crush on Harrison Ford.”
It was her daughter Ayla, 19 years old at the time, who mentioned that the dog’s red coat reminded her of Prince Harry and Tammy realized how fitting the name was for the dog.
“Prince Harry is my favourite royal — us redheads have to stick together,” she said. “My Prince Harry is a total puck, which I think is very much like Prince Harry’s personality.”
The human Prince Harry had a rebellious reputation during his youth. It often landed him headlines in the British news for such things as smoking cannabis and underage drinking. So, too, did the canine Prince Harry have a defiant streak.
“When he was a pup he was into everything, very mischievous,” said Tammy. “Then he would look at you and smile, so you just couldn’t get mad at him.”
Both Prince Harrys started to calm down and mature as they got older. The human Prince Harry had a 10-year British military career and has since focused much of his energy on charity work.
“Once he hit two he really started to calm down,” said Tammy of her furry prince. “He’s grown into such a handsome boy and Harry has grown into a handsome young man, too.”
She said she’s grown to like and respect Harry even more in recent years, especially following a 2017 joint interview with his brother and sister-in-law — the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
“He, William and Kate gave an interview talking about depression, and what it was like when his mother (Diana, Princess of Wales) died,” she said. “I think that made him more down to earth and approachable.”
Craig noted it’s admirable that Harry has also kept in close contact with comrades from his military days, and has created or patronized various charities that aid military personnel and veterans, such as the Invictus Games.
“Just look at all the work he’s done to help those with PTSD and injured veterans,” he said. “It shows that he’s grown up and that he has a vulnerable side.”
GROWING BROOD
Following Craig’s retirement, the couple moved across the continent in 2016 and settled into their new home in St. John’s with their Prince Harry and a cat named Princess Delaney. But the family wasn’t finished growing.
About a year ago, the couple decided to adopt another corgi, this time from a Quebec breeder. In keeping with the royal theme, the puppy was named Princess Pippa, after the Duchess of Cambridge’s sister, Pippa Middleton.
“They get along really well,” said Tammy of their three pets. “They like playing with each other and cuddling up in the den together.”
Tammy was enthusiastic about the human Prince Harry and fiancée Meghan Markle exchanging their vows on Saturday. The family planned on snuggling on the couch to watch the royal wedding live on the television.
“I’ll be wearing my fascinator and have my tissues ready. They’ll make a great couple,” she said. Craig says he’s happy for the pair and thinks Meghan has developed the skills to handle life in the public eye through her acting career and the couple’s year-long engagement.
“The Royal Family needs new blood,” he said. “She seems strong, personalitywise, and already has the tough skin to take it.”