Disclaimer: Garfield and all related characters are the property of Paws Inc. and ViacomCBS/Nickelodeon at the time of this story's creation.

Chapter 1: The Origin of Garfield

June 19

Muncie, Indiana

Mamma Leoni's Italian Restaurant

"Meroooooooo!" A female cat roared as she is giving birth to her second kitten.

"Welcome to the world, little fella." The female cat said as she thinks of a name for her newborn kitten. After a few seconds, she thought of the perfect name for him.

"I think I'll call you...Garfield." She proclaimed as her newborn son opened his eyes for the first time.

"I'm hungry!" Garfield said his first words as he peeked his head outside of the blanket. "W-Where are we, mom?" He asked.

"Why, you're in the kitchen of an Italian restaurant, sweetie." His mother answered.

"Are Italians good to eat?" Garfield asked as he tried to climb out of the bed. "Oof!" he shouted as he tripped.

His mother chuckles at her son's clumsiness. "You have a lot to learn, Garfield. Remember, always sit up straight."

Garfield took his first steps as he walked around the kitchen. He was amazed by everything he saw from the stove to the many food and ingredients on the table. However, he stopped dead in his tracks when he spots a human chef approaching in his direction carrying what appears to be a very hot tray. Garfield quickly ran to the side of the stove.

"Garfield, the newborn kitten, is getting ready to rub up against his first human leg." Garfield proclaimed as he prepares to make his move towards the unsuspecting human. "On my mark, get set..." He says in anticipation. "Rub up!" Garfield runs towards the chef and proceeds to rub up against his leg.

"Arrrrgh!" The chef screamed as he falls to the ground and drops his hot tray. A piece of lasagna flies out of the tray and lands into Garfield's mouth. The cat was surprised by the delightful taste of the pasta dish. Wanting more of this delicious treat, Garfield rushes to the tray and proceeds to devour the rest of the lasagna.

"I think I'm gonna to like this thing called eating, mom". Garfield said while chewing.

"Don't talk with your mouth full, dear." His mother reminded him as he finishes his lasagna meal.

"Ahhhhh, delicious." Garfield licked his mouth and satisfyingly rubs his belly. He then notices the table having lots more food on it. Using his claws, Garfield climbs up to the table and gazes upon the wondrous amounts of pasta dishes on it.

"Pasta!" Garfield exclaimed in delight. "Infinite mountains of pasta!"

Garfield bounces from the gelatin to the bowl of fettuccine and eats all of it.

"Garfield, one! Fettuccine, nothing!"

He then notices a cup filled with spaghetti noodles and jumps towards it. He attempts to chew on a noodle, but is unimpressed with how it was cooked.

"This spaghetti could stand to be cooked a little longer." Garfield added. He stretches and yawns and proceeds to take a nap.

"Wake up, sleepyhead." Garfield's mom ordered, but her son remains asleep.

The chef gets back up and is horrified by what he saw. All of the food was eaten and the kitchen table was a complete mess.

"That's it!" The chef angrily yelled and grabs the sleeping kitten from the cup. "You're coming with me!"

"What are you doing with my baby!?" Garfield's mother panicked.

"I'm sorry, Sonja!" The chef said revealing her name, "But I can't let your son stay here! He's eating me out of business, so I'm taking him to the pet shop!" He begins to walk away.

"No!" Sonja yelled as she runs after them, "You can't take him away from me! He's too young!" Sonja tries to catch up with her owner, but the kitchen door was already shut.

"GARFIELD!" She shouted as she claws at the door. Tears began to form in her eyes. After crying in defeat for a full minute, she calms down and regains her posture.

"Take care of yourself, Garfield." Sonja sniffed, "No matter what happens, I'll always love you."

Pet Shop

Garfield yawns as he wakes up from his nap. As he stretches and opens his eyes, he immediately notices that he's in a completely different place and is surrounded by many different cats and dogs.

"W-What the...Where am I!?" The confused kitten asked. A bigger beige cat approached him.

"You're in the pet shop, little guy." The cat answered.

"THE PET SHOP!?" Garfield screamed "HOW DID I END UP HERE!? WHERE'S MOM!?"

"Calm down, kid." The beige cat said. "You were dropped off here late last night by a chef-looking guy and he quickly ran off. He sounded like he was very happy to be rid of you."

"Oh, I see." Garfield depressingly said as he began to cry.

The beige cat sympathetically placed a paw on Garfield's back. "Hey, it's okay little guy. I'm pretty sure you'll find a nice new home one day." The cat reassured him.

"So…(Sniff)...what's the program here?" Garfield asked wiping a tear from his eye.

"Oh, it's simple", the beige cat answered, "All you have to do is look cute. Someone comes in, buys you, and takes you home."

"Well, that shouldn't take very long." Garfield said with a glimmer of hope.

"Uhh...I wouldn't count on that if I were you." The beige cat said, pointing at an old wrinkly cat. "Old Eli's been here for seventeen years."

"Hey, I'm cute." Eli said with a gravelly voice. "Take me home."

Garfield sighed in defeat. He realized that he wasn't getting out of here anytime soon.

*Ding Dong*

Garfield jumped in surprise of the bell sound. He then notices someone approaching the cashier.

"Hello there." The man spoke to the cashier. "I'd like to buy a pet, please?"

This was it. This was Garfield's chance for a better life. Not wanting to miss this opportunity, Garfield quickly runs up and jumps right onto the man's face.

"Take me! Take me!" Garfield begged the man. "I'll catch your mice, fetch your paper, and scratch your back! I'll be sweet, lick your feet, and even fix you a snack! I'll do anything for you! JUST TAKE ME WITH YOU!" He quickly added.

"Alright, alright!" The man said as he grabbed the kitten from his face and observes him.

"Hmmm...well this one seems friendly". The man said. "And adorable. I'll take him!"

"Y-you mean it?" Garfield asked

The man nodded.

"YES! Oh, thank you so much!" Garfield showers his new owner with many kisses on the cheeks.

The cashier chuckles. "He seems to really like you, mister….uhhhhh…."

"Jon Arbuckle." The man said revealing his name.

"Okay, Mr. Arbuckle. That'll be 90 dollars, please."

"You got it." Jon said as he gave the cashier the money.

"Thanks, sir. Enjoy your new cat." The cashier said as Jon walks out of the pet shop with his newly adopted kitten in his hands. The beige cat watches as they leave.

"Good luck out there, kid." He said, "You're gonna need it."

Jon walks out the door and heads to his car. Garfield is very excited for his new life of comfort and luxury ahead.

"Ok, so I sleep till noon and desire my milk tepid. I require three daily scratchings and I eat a pasta based diet. No substitutions, please. As far as accommodations, my...bed...must...be…" the exhausted kitten begins to drift to sleep.

"Wow." Jon said to himself, "Only one minute after being adopted and he's already fallen asleep."

Jon opens his car door and places the sleeping tabby on the passenger's seat. After putting his seat-belt on and starting up the car, he smiled at his new pet and gently strokes him on his back.

"Welcome to your new home, little fella." Jon said as he thinks of a name for him. After a few seconds, he thought of the perfect name for him.

"I think I'll call you...Garfield." He proclaimed as he begins to drive back home with his newly adopted cat.