Darling Daddy Dog Adopts Orphaned Ducklings
In Mountfitchet Castle, a tourist hubbub near the Stansted Airport in Essex, England, there’s a new family people are raving about. Fred, a ten-year-old Labrador retriever has become a foster parent to nine little fluffy ducklings.
A post shared by @ mountfitchetcastle on May 21, 2018 at 12:16pm PDT
The ducklings’ mama could not be found and staff at the castle saw them wandering around sort of lost and lonely. According to them, Fred saw the baby ducks and took charge of the situation, finding it improper that they have no parent and standing in as the man for the job.
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The ducklings seem to be fine and dandy with their new daddy, as they follow him around, even into the castle moat for a dip.
A post shared by @ mountfitchetcastle on May 23, 2018 at 1:04am PDT
Fred is the resident dog of the Norman castle, which is home to several other rescued animals as well. One castle staff person said that they fretted so when they realized the ducklings’ mama had taken off and the fluffy loves were lost and lonely.
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Jerry Goldsmith is part owner of the castle, and Fred’s human. He realized the baby ducks needed a little human help for the time being and he said Fred just took right on over in the rearing of the ducks. Goldsmith says that Fred’s always had a cheery and welcoming disposition, always raised around other rescues, and he couldn’t think of a finer babysitter to prep the little ones until they are ready to fend for themselves, most likely in a few weeks. Goldsmith says the ducks are of course welcome at the castle, but they may choose to leave.
Poor Fred–who’d have thought he’d know first hand what it feels like when little ones ‘fly the nest?
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