I had the book when I was about that age also. I remember my dad was visibly offended at the cat Jesus in the detective story. We were in St. Louis, eating our lunch and watching the eagles catch theirs on the Mississippi.
This story explains why the otherwise lazy Garfield enjoys occasionally engaging in rampaging and destructive behavior he would seem too lazy to engage in, such as his constant attacks on the mailman.
I admit it:
"Dianna's Piano" brought a tear to my eye. Especially the end of the end, where her new car does NOT want to hear her play the piano. So sad.