Fred is a 10-year-old Labrador retriever that took it upon himself to adopt nine little ducklings, proving yet again that dogs are one of God’s greatest creations. Apparently their mother disappeared, but Fred decided to take over for her.

Their mother disappeared somewhere near Britain’s Stansted Airport, but Fred, who lives in Essex, has been catapulted to fame for starting a little family of his own when the ducklings were orphaned.

Fred is a resident dog at Mountfitchet Castle, a tourist attraction near the town. The castle is home to a number of rescued animals, and the ducklings were discovered wandering around on the grounds of the castle with their mother nowhere in site.

The adorable elderly lab has taken them in like they are his own. They cuddle up to him, ride on his back around the farm, and he even takes them to the castle’s moat to swim. Fred and his little brood are nothing short of adorable.

Jeremy Goldsmith, Fred’s owner, had this to say about Fred, “He’s got a lovely nature and has grown up around rescued animals.” So it was a natural step for Fred to take the ducklings under his wing, or in this case, his paw.

Check out the adorable video below of Fred and his fuzzy, feathered brood. You definitely don’t want to miss it. Be sure to share this heartwarming story with your family and friends.