It is with immense sadness—and a hint of irony that Donkey himself would have appreciated—that we announce the passing of Perry on January 2. Perry, the donkey who served as the muse for the beloved character of « Donkey » in the Shrek saga, succumbed to an incurable hoof disease (or what some politely call « early retirement »). Perry was euthanized this Tuesday, bringing an end to a life that will remain etched in history… or at least in invisible credits.
A Donkey with Personality… and a Solid Résumé
Perry was no ordinary donkey. He was a true icon—or at least, he would have been if he could talk (or negotiate image rights). A natural showman in his paddock, Perry captivated everyone with his quirky expressions and unpredictable escapades—an absolute goldmine for DreamWorks animators. In fact, it’s widely believed that Eddie Murphy would have declined the voiceover role had he not seen a video of Perry gleefully prancing about while stubbornly refusing to return to his pen. A legend was born.
Unfortunately for Perry, unlike his cinematic alter ego, he never got to sing spontaneous duets with a dragon. No, Perry spent most of his life posing as animation reference material and chewing hay—but always with style.
A Tragedy for the Kingdom of Far Far Away
For fans of the Shrek saga, the news hit like Cupid’s arrow—but in reverse. « Perry, you made us want to sing ‘I’m a Believer!’ and now you break our hearts, » lamented Pedro, a longtime fan from Chile. Some fans have even launched a petition to erect a statue of Perry in a public park, while others are campaigning to have him added to the movie credits. After all, if Fiona could become an ogre part-time, why couldn’t Perry become a full-time legend?
Others, more pragmatic, remind us that in the Shrek universe, even death could be the source of a good laugh. « Perry would probably say, ‘I’ll be missed by everyone… especially the mud in my pen!’ » joked one fan, staying true to the saga’s irreverent tone.
Imagining a Final Tribute
To honor Perry’s memory, we suggest a tribute worthy of his legacy and Shrek’s whimsical universe. Why not organize a parade of donkeys dressed as characters from the saga, or install a statue in an animal sanctuary to remind us that even the most unlikely heroes deserve a place in our hearts and history? A fundraiser could also be launched to support the protection of donkeys worldwide, symbolizing the mischievous and generous spirit that Perry embodied so well.
An (Almost) Immortal Hero
Sure, Perry has left us, but his legend lives on. While some mourn his passing, others choose to laugh—just as he would have wanted. After all, if life teaches us anything, it’s that even in the deepest of swamps, there’s always an adventure, a friendship, and sometimes, a lovesick dragon.
Goodbye, Perry. You were the best donkey, the funniest, the most stubborn. But don’t worry, we love you too… like a donkey loves waffles.
