Odie takes his share of abuse over the course of his hundreds of appearances in Garfield, but on National Dog Day, we're all about the love.

Introduced by creator Jim Davis just a few months into Garfield's 1978 launch, Odie originally belonged to Jon's sometime roommate Lyman. Though Lyman more or less bounced in the early '80s, Odie has since been understood to be Jon's pup. Odie never seemed to mind the transition, probably because Lyman was not a very patient trainer, to say the least. Odie got an owner upgrade in Jon, but Garfield has proven to be a famously hostile housemate -- kicking him off tables, tricking him into traps and otherwise mocking his simple-minded enthusiasm. And yet... Odie's optimism abides, breaking even Garfield's grumpiness from time to time.

Celebrate National Dog Day with us as we call out the few occasions where Odie's unwavering enthusiasm wins out.

Garfield By Jim Davis Dec 20, 1978

Garfield By Jim Davis Oct 31, 1978 

Garfield By Jim Davis June 12, 1981 

Garfield By Jim Davis Feb 6, 1982

Garfield By Jim Davis Sept 22, 1985