Nine baby ducklings recently found themselves orphaned when their mother suddenly disappeared without a trace. Luckily for them, a Labrador retriever named Fred stepped in to adopt them!

Fred is a 10-year-old dog living in Mountfitchet Castle in Essex, England, where he spends his days helping his owner Jeremy Goldsmith take care of the castle grounds. Fred and Jeremy were out for a walk recently when they came upon the orphaned ducklings.

Staffers at the castle worried about the safety of the ducklings when their mother never returned, but that’s when Fred decided to step up and help them!

“We brought the ducklings into the house as they are too young to fend for themselves, and Fred just took them under his paw – rather than his wing,” Jeremy recounted.

Fred’s gentle nature made him the perfect surrogate dad for these ducklings! He loves nothing more than cuddling with them, having them ride on his back, and watching over them while they take naps. He even sleeps with them in his doggy bed!

As for the ducklings, they love going on adventures around the castle with their new dad!

“He’s got a lovely nature and has grown up around rescued animals. They absolutely adore him and he has now resigned himself to being a stay-at-home dad looking after the nine baby ducklings,” Jeremy said.

In just a few weeks, the ducklings will be big enough to take care of themselves, and Fred will have to let them go. However, he’ll still be able to visit them if they stay on the castle grounds.

These ducklings are so lucky to have such an amazing dad!

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