Castle dog “adopts” brood of nine ducklings

Mountfitchet Castle has become a tourist attraction, but not for the usual reason.

The Iron Age fort as well as former Roman, Saxon and Viking settlement, which was attacked in 1066 by the Normans who built a castle there, is a national historic site.

But now, it’s become the site of a love story between a dog and nine orphan ducklings.

“Fred the resident dog at the Castle stepped up to the challenge when nine little ducklings became orphaned last Thursday,” the castle posted on Facebook. “The ducklings’ mum had disappeared and a member of staff found them waddling around the castle grounds alone.”

Staff became worried.

But Fred jumped in and took them under his wing.

“Fred, a 10 year old Labrador, immediately took to them and has been babysitting ever since,” the castle wrote.


It’s such a big deal, the British press has even taken a break from wall-to-wall Royal Wedding coverage to provide news on the unusual inter-species adoption.

The BBC saying, “Fred has become dad (and mum) to the nine ducklings.”

The good-natured pooch has no problem letting his feathered friends climb aboard, snuggle and waddle around him.

Squee.

Photos Mountfitchet Castle/Facebook

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