
In the picturesque setting of Mountfitchet Castle near Stansted, Essex, a heartwarming story unfolds, showcasing the remarkable kindness of Fred, a 15-year-old yellow Labrador. In a twist of fate, Fred has once again assumed the role of a nurturing father figure, this time to a brood of fifteen orphaned ducklings, adding another chapter to his legacy of compassion.

Fred’s story of adopting orphaned ducklings is far from new; in fact, it’s a story that has unfolded not once, not twice, but three times within the past five years. This loyal and gentle labrador retriever has captured the hearts of many with his undeniable knack for stepping up when needed the most.

The tale began in 2018 when Fred first embraced the role of a foster parent, taking in a brood of nine orphaned ducklings. The images and videos of Fred cradling the ducklings on his back, protecting them, and watching over them spread across social media, warming hearts and spreading smiles. His devotion and care were evident as he guided them through their delicate early stages of life.

The following year, in 2019, Fred’s compassionate spirit shone once again. When seven ducklings found themselves abandoned, Fred was quick to extend his paw in support. He welcomed them with open arms, offering a lifeline to these vulnerable creatures and ensuring they had the chance to thrive and grow.

Now, in his senior years at the age of 15, Fred’s story has come full circle. When fifteen more ducklings faced a bewildering loss of their mother, Fred emerged as their steadfast protector and caretaker. Photographs captured the heartwarming scenes of these tiny ducklings nestled between Fred’s legs and perched confidently on his back. The sight of these fluffy yellow bundles finding solace in Fred’s presence is a testament to the remarkable bond that transcends species.
Jeremy Goldsmith, Fred’s owner, shared the touching account, expressing pride in his beloved canine companion’s consistent acts of compassion. While the circumstances surrounding the mother duck’s sudden disappearance remain a mystery, one thing is certain: Fred’s unwavering love and dedication have provided these ducklings with a second chance at life.
Fred’s role as a foster parent isn’t merely about convenience; it’s a testament to the deep empathy and sense of responsibility that he embodies. He is more than a pet – he is a beacon of hope and a reminder that love knows no bounds. As the ducklings continue to grow under Fred’s watchful care, their story stands as a heartening reminder that even in the face of adversity, kindness and love have the power to create a brighter tomorrow.
13 Celebrities That Seem to Have Discovered the Secret of Youth
There must be something rejuvenating in that Hollywood water! That’s a thought we all have in our heads from time to time when looking at pictures of forever fresh stars that seem to not have understood the concept of time. While we count how many new grey hairs grew this month, these celebrities keep on shocking us with the inconsistency of their age and their appearance.
Here at Bright Side, we love following celebrities, especially if it seems like they know the secrets of staying young and fresh forever. There’s definitely something we need to learn from them.
1. Eve, 1992 vs 2019

Eve started her career at a young age and has over 20 years of being under the spotlight. Now she’s 42, and it looks like years haven’t left any marks on her.
2. Gabrielle Union, 2009 vs 2021

The Bring It On and Being Mary Jane star shared that at 48 she has a few rules that boost her glow. She drinks enough water, makes sure she gets at least 8 hours of sleep, and exercises.
3. Queen Latifah, 1987 vs 2020

The Oscar-nominated, Grammy- and Emmy-winning singer and actress turned 51 on March 18. Queen shares that she does eat a lot of vegetables and lean meats, hydrates religiously and thinks that as long as you’re young at heart, your actual age doesn’t really matter.
4. Alicia Silverstone, 1992 vs 2020

The Clueless star, who is 44 years old, says that her diet is the secret to her youth — Alicia is vegan and leads an eco-friendly lifestyle. She shares that once she gave up meat and dairy, she started looking better after just 2 weeks.
5. Jeremy Piven, 2005 vs 2021

The famous American actor and comedian shared that he lifts weights, jumps rope, and does jiujitsu. He also said in an interview that he has been doing yoga for decades and goes for a run when he wakes up.
6. Alfre Woodard, 1995 vs 2020

Alfre Woodard is now 68 years old, but looking at her pictures from the past, it feels like she just changes outfits and hairstyles, but doesn’t age at all.
7. Jamie Foxx, 2004 vs 2021

There is always a question when it comes to Jamie Foxx — how does he still look as young as he did in the 2000s? Back then, when he was 33, he had his own series, The Jamie Foxx Show. Today, he’s 53 and still a popular actor that seems to have found the fountain of youth.
8. Sharon Stone, 2002 vs 2021

The 63-year-old actress shares that her secret of youth is something she took from her mom — she shares that she gave her a jar of moisturizer and told her to clean her skin and moisturize morning and night, and that’s what she does.
9. Bianca Lawson, 1991 vs 2019

Bianca Lawson has played teenagers on-screen since 1993 and it’s really no surprise why. The Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Pretty Little Liars star is 42, but you can’t tell since her glowing skin looks like it’s ageless. Bianca shares that she prefers natural sweeteners to sugar and tea to coffee and believes that youth is a mentality, so to stay young you have to reduce stress and enjoy life.
10. Alicia Keys, 1997 vs 2021

The 40-year-old singer not only looks young and fresh, but she also manages to look younger than her years without wearing heavy makeup — she advocates for embracing natural beauty and actually has incredible skin. Her routine includes jade rolling, oils, and cucumber pulp.
11. Elizabeth Hurley, 2001 vs 2021

Today the British model is 54 years old, but in her latest Instagram posts, she legitimately looks like a girl in her 20s. And though it looks effortless, she does put a lot of effort into it. Her methods are hydration, a balanced diet, and workouts. For example, Elizabeth does squats while brushing her teeth and considers gardening her main form of exercise.
12. Helena Christensen, 1998 vs 2020

It’s hard to believe, but the famous supermodel turns 52 this year, showing her flawless body on her Instagram account. Helena shared that in Denmark, where she’s from, people are taught to not hide anything when it comes to what nature gave them.
13. Janet Jackson, 1998 vs 2020

The music legend turned 55 in May and it seems like 20 years have left no marks on her face. Jackson doesn’t really share her secrets to staying young, though she mentioned that she has a mostly plant-based diet, doesn’t eat meat, and that she has a long-term relationship with fitness.
What’s your secret to staying youthful? We’d be happy to see your comments in the section below.
Bright Side has its own podcasts now. Take cool articles with you and listen to new stories whenever and wherever you want.
Preview photo credit John Mathew Smith / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0, janetjackson / instagram
Leave a Reply