Dog 'adopts' nine orphaned ducklings at Essex castle

[demmiblue]

Source: BBC

Fred, a 10-year-old labrador has become "dad" to the baby birds at Mountfitchet Castle, a tourist attraction near Stansted Airport in Essex.

The ducklings' mother was nowhere to be found when staff noticed them waddling around alone, but "Fred... immediately took to them and has been babysitting ever since."

They have even followed him into the castle moat for a swim, staff said.

The reconstructed Norman castle is home to a number of rescued animals, but Fred is "the resident dog".

...

The ducklings sleep in the dog basket with Fred and follow him around as though he was their mother.

More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-44195490?intlink_from_url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-england-suffolk-44170416&link_location=live-reporting-story

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[JNelson6563]

1. Now that is a VERY good boy!

[Hortensis]

2. Just discovered I needed this! Thanks for posting.

[watoos]

3. I don't want to ruin this post

but isn't it a shame that certain "humans" can't show similar love and empathy to "others."

[TEB]

4. What a sweet boy

[Vinca]

5. That is just adorable. If only people were as accepting.

[Ohiogal]

6. What a great story to start my day

Sure beats reading about that orange sourpuss and his further destruction of our country.

Thank you demmiblue!

[demmiblue]

10. You're welcome.

It is nice at the end of the day, too!

[Bettie]

7. Fred is a very good boy

what a sweet doggie.

My grandma had a dog that raised all the barn kittens. They used to sleep all over her and the cats had litters in her doghouse. Sandy was a good dog too.

[Botany]

8. Dogs are the best people in the world

n/t

[KY_EnviroGuy]

14. "Fred is the resident dog"

I frequently wish I could just be one, LOL.......

[KY_EnviroGuy]

9. Now that's what I call contentment!

Big hug for Fred....... ........

[demmiblue]

11. A moment of Zen, for sure!

[smirkymonkey]

12. Awwww! Who's a good boy, Fred?

Dogs are the best! This is just so adorable. Is there anything cuter than dogs and ducklings together?

[hedda_foil]

13. Be takes them to the moat gto swim!

Now THAT is incredible.

[Demovictory9]

15. cute ducklings

[brooklynite]

16. How does a dog teach ducklings how to clean under their wings?

[Raine]

17. So sweet

I love these kind of stories thanks so much for posting it!