Character Relationship Map: Garfield

Characters

• Garfield (played by Bill Murray) — protagonist

  Lazy, sarcastic orange tabby cat who loves lasagna and hates Mondays.

• Jon (played by Breckin Meyer) — protagonist

  Alternate credit listing for Jon Arbuckle, the cartoonist owner.

• Liz (played by Jennifer Love Hewitt) — supporting

  Compassionate veterinarian and Jon's long-term romantic partner.

• Happy Chapman (played by Stephen Tobolowsky) — supporting

  Flamboyant, ruthless animal control officer obsessed with capturing Garfield.

• Wendell (played by Evan Arnold) — supporting

  Neighbor or acquaintance involved in early neighborhood scenes.

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Happy Chapman → Wendell (Professional Assistant And Employer) — Wendell functions as Happy's assistant in the scheme.

  Wendell assists Happy after they recognize the notice about the missing dog and claim the dog as Happy's own.

• Garfield → Liz (Professional Veterinarian And Patient) — Liz is Garfield's veterinarian and later supports the search effort.

  Jon habitually brings Garfield to Liz's veterinary practice. Liz also helps Jon search for the missing animals.

• Jon → Liz (Romantic Partner) — Jon's affection for Liz develops into a mutual relationship.

  Jon repeatedly visits the veterinarian because he is in love with Liz. They form a relationship after returning home.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Garfield → Wendell (Conflict Opposing Parties) — Their opposition is indirect but tied to the rescue plot.

  Wendell helps Happy claim the missing dog, while Garfield enters the broadcast tower and pursues the scheme's organizers.

• Liz → Happy Chapman (Conflict Opposing Interest) — Liz supports the recovery effort against Happy's actions.

  Liz joins Jon in searching for the missing animals, while Happy is responsible for taking one of them.

• Jon → Happy Chapman (Conflict Enemy) — Jon becomes Happy's opponent while trying to recover his pets.

  Jon learns that Happy took the dog and later punches Happy after discovering that he kidnapped Jon's pets.

• Garfield → Happy Chapman (Conflict Adversary) — Garfield directly opposes Happy's exploitation and abduction of the animals.

  Happy captures Garfield as a stray, while Garfield enters the broadcast tower and later pursues him to rescue the imprisoned dog.

• Garfield → Jon (Social Owner And Pet) — Their bond combines ownership, dependence, irritation, and genuine care.

  Garfield lives with Jon, who is identified as his owner. Jon later searches for Garfield and welcomes him home.

Story Analysis

A jealous cat learns responsibility and risks himself to rescue the companion he initially rejected.

Plot Progression

1. A New Rival At Home — Garfield enjoys his familiar life with Jon until Jon's attempt to see Liz results in custody of a new dog. Garfield reacts with jealousy and rejects the newcomer.
2. Jealousy Breaks The Household — The dog's public talent creates unexpected attention, while Garfield's resentment causes serious disorder at home. Garfield locks the dog outside, leading to its disappearance.
3. A Television Kidnapping — Happy and Wendell exploit the lost-dog notice and present the dog on television. Garfield discovers the plan and finds the dog imprisoned with a shock collar.
4. The Rescue Mission — Garfield is captured while pursuing Happy, but learns the truth and accepts responsibility for his jealousy. The pound animals help him escape and continue the chase.
5. Tracks And Reckoning — Garfield prevents a train disaster, frees the dog, and faces Happy in the luggage area. The collar is turned against Happy, and the pets return home.