Resident dog of Stansted, Essex, down in Mountfitchet Castle, he’s a loving and gentle presence to all tourists. He’s not a wee pup anymore, creeping over the double-digit mark at 10 years old, so his natural parental instincts are starting to kick in. You wanna know how I know? Once the Mountfitchet Castle staff spotted nine ducklings wandering around aimlessly, they panicked to try and get them to their mother, but Fred intervened and took care of them instead.
Fred the resident dog at the Castle stepped up to the challenge when nine little ducklings became orphaned last Thursday. The ducklings’ mum had disappeared and a member of staff found them waddling around the castle grounds alone. The team were very worried about the ducklings but Fred, a 10 year old Labrador, immediately took to them and has been babysitting ever since.
Jeremy Goldsmith said in an interview,
He has grown up with me and my wife Jo in the castle and our house with rescued animals. We even had a squirrel in the kitchen for six months we rescued from the roadside.
Fred immediately took to them and has been great looking after them. Even swimming in the castle moat every day. Fred has such a loving way. He is such a natural father and parent.
“[He] has a wonderful paternal instinct and has really taken to all nine ducklings,” said Goldsmith, “We are so proud of him.”
