Shrek the Sheep, 1994-2011

New Zealand counter-culture icon Shrek the Sheep has died, euthanized by a veterinarian because he was old and sick. Shrek became famous seven years ago, when it was discovered that he'd been hiding in caves since 1998 to avoid shearing. After his capture, his 60-pound coat of fleece was cut off on national TV, yielding enough wool to make 20 men's suits, and turning Shrek into a folk hero. He met Prime Minister Helen Clark and started a career in the nonprofit industry, raising over $150 thousand for children's medical charities. "He had an unbelievable personality," said his owner, John Perriam. "He loved children and he was really good with the elderly in retirement homes."

That "Cut My Hair Today" song is one of my favorite rock songs. You'd think the band that plays it, D.B.L.I.T.Y., were from England. But they were from Allentown, Pennsylvania. And D.B.L.I.T.Y. stands for "Dress British, Look Irish, Think Yiddish." Which, amazing.

Here's some video of Shrek. Pretty incredible, what 60 pounds pounds of fleece looks like on a sheep.