[MusicalFeathers]

Ok, I have been feeling this way more and more lately, especially when I take my birds out to the park or a walk or something.

I tend to think that people might think I am cruel for keeping birds. You know...since "they should be free and not kept in captivity".
I have had birds all my life and I cannot seem to live without them. Somewhere inside of me always feels guilty that I have them as part of my family. Although they are very well taken care of in everyway, I still feel like maybe I'm doing something wrong.
I have five birds, (Gonzo - semi foster)....I love them completely and do everything for them and always put them first.
Do any of you ever feel anything like this? Should I? Should I not?

A year ago I had an experience that will always be wrapped around my heart. I found a baby dove outside my home ( about a week old) and he was being eaten alive by ants. Long story short, I took him in, syringe fed him (which I had never done before...nothing close to it but with lots of research I accomplished it) and kept him till he was learning to fly. I trained him to free fly and he learned at 3pm everyday he would fly down by my back door and wait for me to feed him his seeds. This happened till I saw him many months ahead coming with what I assumed to be his mate. His visits then became scarce.
Anyway, my point is that the joy it gave me to love a bird and allow it freedom is indescribable and it makes me feel guilty for having birds, even if they were born in captivity. I don't know....sorry I ranted on a bit.
If any of you have anything to say to this feeling, please say...it would be nice!

Thanks for listening.