Mike the Headless Chicken (1945 – 1947) was a Wyandotte rooster that lived for 1 1/2 years with his head cut off.

On September 10, 1945, farmer Lloyd Olson of Fruita, Colorado failed to completely decapitate the five-and-a-half month old bird, leaving one ear and most of the brain stem intact. Mike was able to balance on a perch and walk clumsily, and even attempted to preen and crow (apparently not noticing that neither activity could be accomplished properly without a head). After the bird did not die, Mr. Olson continued to care for the rooster, feeding him a mixture of milk and water via an eyedropper. He was also fed small grains of corn. Mike occasionally choked on his own mucus, which the Olson family would clear using a syringe.

More on the beauty and sacred nature of life here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_the_Headless_Chicken

Despite his slight disability he was able to lead a full life!

Mike was on display to the public for an admission cost of 25 cents, and at the height of his popularity was earning $4,500 per month. A pickled chicken head was also on display with Mike, but it was not Mike's original head as it had been eaten by a cat.

Mike continued to live his life with this quiet dignity. (Mike had never told any family or friends prior to his accident that he wouldnt wanted to live without a brain... at least not in writing)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A2309627:

He continued to act as though everything were completely normal, going through the motions of pecking for food, preening, tucking what used to be his head under his wing when he slept, and even attempting to crow, emitting a pathetic gurgle for his trouble. Despite his attempts to act otherwise, the truth, of course, was that Mike's head had been cut off.

Members of the Olsen family took pictures documenting how alive and responsive Mike was:

Mike was never 'hooked up to machines', and only required the most basic of medical intervention to keep partaking in the sacred and beautiful act of living:

Mike supposedly was incapable of feeling pain, so some felt that the family keeping him alive so they could enjoy his antics was in no way cruel... In fact some felt it was a loving act...

Others close to mike felt the poor creature should stop being a brainless sideshow and be allowed to die. These people were widely portrayed as greedy vile people just hankering for fried chicken.

In remembrance of a life lived fully and with dignity- Here's to you Mike, at least your life never became a circus... well, not as much of one as it apparently could have...