5560: Odie's Birthday, Part 1: 1995 to 1978

==Explanation==
The Garfield strip started in 1978. 17 years later, we find out Odie's birthday. On this day, Jon remarked about Garfield's lack of caring about it... so the author dug into the history of Garfield strips for that day to see if Jon has any room to talk. Results: not much. Arguably, one could say he gave Odie and his previous owner a home for a while on Odie's birthday, which became more permanent for Odie when Lyman stopped showing up in person in the strip, but there was no annual marking of the day. The other closest Jon comes is bringing Odie along for a golf game.
Each year is represented by a single panel; where it was deemed necessary, the transcript notes provide context, for example, the note for 1991.
The author's notes makes reference to Caspar Milquetoast of The Timid Soul, who once saw a "Watch this space!" sign. Like that sign, the intent was to urge readers to check that space occasionally for future developments. However, in The Timid Soul, Caspar took it as a command to watch that space continuously, though he did remark that if something didn't happen pretty soon, he'd have to leave.
==The author writes==
Not a lot of actual Odie content, huh? Now, I don't do birthdays, myself, but if Jon's going to say things like that when his life has documentation, he can expect some scrutiny...
Watch this space -- though not like Caspar Milquetoast -- for how Jon's celebrated since, if at all...
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==Transcript==
{Jon and Odie are wearing party hats; Jon is looking disapprovingly at the arriving Garfield}
Jon: Today is Odie's birthday, not that you care!
Caption: 1995
Caption: How much do you care, Jon?
Caption: Let's find out...
{Who has at least one thumb and a lazy cat? This guy}
Jon: I spent the day doing good deeds
Caption: 1994
{Jon provides shade for a sleeping Garfield, but he also has something to give us: an Aside Glance}
Garfield: Z
Caption: 1993
{A full Garfield rests amongst the containers, dishes, scraps, and inedible parts of food}
Jon: Well, Garfield, for dinner you ate all the food in the house
Caption: 1992
Jon: You're a pig!
{Garfield holds his stomach, which he claimed contains a basketball he swallowed when he was young}
Garfield: It's been digesting for years
Caption: 1991
{Garfield stands on his tail and heels with his forelegs out, seemingly flattened against nothing}
Jon: What the...?
Garfield: Moth on a windshield
Caption: 1990
{Jon and Garfield look into the open refrigerator}
Jon: It can't be time to clean out the refrigerator again
Garfield: The meat loaf has toadstools
Caption: 1989
{Jon is clad in a tank top}
Jon: I don't suppose you'd like to exercise with me?
Garfield {off-panel}: You got it again
Caption: 1988
{Jon has a plate of steak, a fried egg, and peas, with no flatware in sight, almost as if he knows he won't be needing them; he's reading the newspaper such that his vision of his food is blocked}
Jon: Hey, Garfield, they're developing computers with artificial intelligence
Garfield: Big deal
Caption: 1987
{Jon and Odie are dressed as golfers; Odie happily presents Jon with the golf ball he dug up}
Jon: Let's talk
{Garfield, standing by as he holds the flag, shields his eyes from the sun as he looks with a smile}
Garfield: Here comes the grounds keeper, and, yes, I believe he's carrying a gun
Caption: 1986
Smaller caption: Hey, at least it's an activity with Odie
{Jon has a mug of coffee while Garfield has a lettuce leaf, served on a plate}
Garfield: Ah, there is nothing more refreshing than a leaf of fresh lettuce for the weight conscious
{Is that a compliment to lettuce or a slam against healthy food in general?}
Caption: 1985
{Garfield lies on a tree branch with his legs dangling over the side}
Garfield: Why do I do it? Why do I climb up trees when I can't climb down?
Caption: 1984
{Garfield lies at his empty food dish with cat food bits around it; his belly has grown past his legs}
Garfield: My legs are shrinking!
Caption: 1983
Caption: Before this, Lyman was still around, so you could surmise that he did something for Odie's birthday, but for the sake of completeness...
{Jon is watching television; Garfield is standing on a footstool that has been pushed up in front of the TV so he can pretend to be part of the action}
Jon: Down in front, Garfield
Garfield: Quiet, you fool! You could blow my cover!
Caption: 1982
{Jon holds Irma's hand, to her surprise and delight; Garfield is not so pleased}
Garfield: Except make passes at ugly waitresses
Caption: 1981
Jon: Now that you're on a diet, you're feeling better about yourself
Garfield: You bet
Caption: 1980
In-comic caption: Ol' Fluffy got his clock cleaned by the even more legendary "Matt-the-Rat"
{The literal rat, Matt, dribbles Fluffy, the legendary ratter}
Caption: 1979
Lyman {off-panel}: Here boy!
{In Odie's first appearance, he bounds by Garfield as Garfield's eyes register shock}
Caption: 1978
Category:Nyperold