This Mind-Blowing Theory Will Change The Way You Read Garfield Forever

    There's evidence that suggests Garfield died more than 30 years ago. Is creator Jim Davis hiding something?

    Bob Marshall
    by Bob Marshall

    BuzzFeed Staff

    This June, everyone's favorite cartoon feline, Garfield, turns 37 years old.

    Paws Inc. / Via Facebook: Garfield

    While the general populace prepares for the worldwide celebration, something dawned on me. I've never met, let alone ever heard of, a cat who lived past 30. Is there something a bit more sinister happening at Paws, Inc. than means the eye?

    Research shows that the oldest cat to ever live, Creme Puff, only lived to 38 years old, which is the equivalent of 169 in cat years.

    Guinness World Records / Via guinnessworldrecords.com

    Poppy (Pictured: Center) is currently believed to be the world's oldest living cat at 24 years of age. Which begs the question: Where's Garfield?

    My theory: Garfield is likely already dead!

    Paws, Inc. / Via Facebook: Garfield

    Don't believe me yet? Let's look at the evidence...

    March 15th, 1980 a.k.a The Smoking Gun

    Paws, Inc / Via Garfield.com

    Garfield's less than two years old when this strip appears. While the cause of death is unclear (complications due to morbid obesity and/or poisoning via Nermal's kiss are both likely), the result couldn't be clearer: Garfield deflates, his organs all collapse simultaneously, and he dies.

    It starts to add up...

    Paws, Inc. / BuzzFeed / Via Garfield.com

    Above we seen a botched burial attempt by Garfield's owner, Jon Arbuckle, about three years after Garfield's death by deflation.

    Over time, Jon becomes increasingly frustrated.

    Paws, Inc. / BuzzFeed / Via Garfield.com

    After the botched burial attempt, what other option does Jon have than to keep Garfield around?

    Odie's saliva preserves Garfield's body.

    Paws, Inc. / BuzzFeed / Via Garfield.com

    Garfield's fresh torso's lack of deterioration may trick the readers into thinking that he's still alive. However, notice how Garfield remains motionless from panel to panel? What living cat would have that reaction to a dog? It just doesn't make sense.

    How do you explain this?

    Paws, Inc / BuzzFeed / Via Garfield.com

    This comic strip ran 12 years after the one before it! And Garfield still hasn't moved!

    Remember this classic strip?

    Paws, Inc. / BuzzFeed / Via Garfield.com

    Initially thought of as creator Jim Davis' commentary on the resurgence of dadaism in the early 1990s, it actually starts to make a lot more sense if you look at it from the angle of Garfield being dead, doesn't it?

    What are you hiding, Jim Davis?

    Vince Bucci / Getty Images

    Here's one theory...

    *mind blown*

    Vince Bucci / Getty Images/ BuzzFeed