Happy birthday, Garfield

  42 years ago, a young cartoonist named Jim Davis decided to create a comic strip that involved a cat, and his craving for food. As the comic grew, so did everybody's interest in this cat.

Garfield came to life on June 19th 1978. There is history of where Garfield was born. Some Italian restaurant, and Jon Arbuckle, his owner, took him to his home. Where he caves food 24/7 especially his favorite food, Lasagna.

Mostly any pasta food, but especially Lasagna. His owner tries to keep him on a steady diet, but I guess, it doesn't seem to work.



     On August 8th, 1978, Garfield met Odie. He and Odie could never get along. Sometimes, he would kick him off the table, get into fights. Sometimes, they would get along

Mostly to get food from Jon's plate. I always wondered what breed Odis is. He must just be a mutt, but still an amazing add in that Jon brought to his family.

Soon, we meet the veterinarian named Liz who Jon tries to ask out. She rejects him, but sometimes gives in. The dates don't end well...and Jon gets rejected over and over.



   Around the late 80's Garfield became really popular. Having a cartoon show called "Garfield and Friends" I watched it a lot when I was kid. The late Lorenzo Music voiced Garfield, and his voice was pretty iconic. There was him, Jon, Odie, Liz, Nermal (who's considered the most cutes cat ever)


 In later years, he sported a few made for tv movies that involved Halloween, Christmas and even Thanksgiving. They were pretty entertaining.
Garfield's owner lived on a farm when he was young. His mother would cook so much, his father believed in hard labor and he and his older brother fight a lot. His grandmother has a tough side and a sweet side, as she tells Garfield how much she misses her late husband.

Years past and eventually....


   Liz finally tells Jon that she has feelings for him, telling him that she does care about him. I guess the creator wanted Jon to find love and Happiness instead of being depressing and dull.


They even get to kiss on Jon's birthday which is the same day as creator Jim Davis.


Then, came the movies:


First was Garfield's first movie, and boy did this almost damage Garfield's career as well as Bill Murray. He voiced Garfield, and eventually, regretted the role. Garfield is computer animated, Odie and the other animals are not. Odie barks, Nermal, although I think the cat is a different cat than the cartoon version, all talk.

    Jon is played by Brecken Myer, Liz is played by Jennifer Love Hewett and oh god...just wow. I don't remember much of the first movie, but the sequel was worse.

  In the style of the prince and the pauper, Garfield is mistaken for the prince's cat when he travels to England. Tim Curry voices the so called prince. Liz goes to England before Jon could propose to her. He goes to England, and Garfield and Odie sneak in as well.
 Let's just say, Garfield and the Prince switch places, and eventually....Garfield comes to the rescue when the castle in danger of being torn down.

With him being almost forty two, this cat should be long dead, but he's going strong, eating his lasagna, causing mayhem, hating Mondays, sleeping all day and eating all the food he wants.


HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GARFIELD!