Associated Press - July 16, 2009 8:44 PM ET

Corrected Version

BOSTON (AP) - Gov. Deval Patrick is touting a new companion: a seven-week-old black Lab named Tobey.

The puppy was an early birthday present from his wife and two daughters. The Democrat turns 53 on July 31.

Tobey joins Zoe, a yellow Lab, in the Patrick household and replaces a chocolate Lab that died last year.

The shiny black dog - replete with red collar - chased after the governor as he left his office Thursday with U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan.

Zoo New England officials said recently a $4 million budget veto Patrick made might lead them to euthanize some animals at the Franklin Park and Stone zoos if they had to close and homes could not be found for them.

The governor said he's a zoo lover and no animal was threatened. Legislators are considering restoring the money.

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