Hey man, sorry it has been a while.
The squirrels are most likely attracted to you because of your good vibes. Animals can sense that you know. They know when a person means them no harm and might be fun to hang out with. Or, they are hoping you have food😅 I once had a girlfriend of sorts that was jealous because the birds would speak to me but not her.
Freedom is, in my opinion, a state of mind or rather a way of perceiving the world and ourselves. I have felt true freedom when I gave up all my material possessions and leaned heavy on Krishna, but that was a long time ago when I still had a full head of hair in San Francisco. But my own personal desires, namely lust for women or the desire for a relationship with one, shackled me back down.
Freedom can be a bit lonely though is not? Humans I feel need each other more than we like to admit or understand.