What’s in a name?
My inspiration for Bronk, or at least his name, came from my childhood canine pal BRONK. He was a German Shepherd and Collie mix and was my best pal when I was a youngster. He was always the Bionic Dog to my Bionic Man. Why did we name him BRONK? Well, in the late 1970’s there was a TV cop show that starred JACK PALANCE and lasted for about 5 seconds, apparently my dad was a fan because it was his decision to name him after JACK’s Detective character, BRONK!
BONGO on the other hand, was named after….um…Bongos. Uh, just because it’s funny. I wish there were more of sentimental or logical origin though.Hmmmm… 
Wait, I’m Cuban, and Ricky Ricardo, possibly the most famous Cuban of all time, played Bongos! So you can draw your own conclusions. I guess this cartoon could have easily been called JACK & RICKY!
And for one final little recollection, when I was kid growing up there was a German Shepherd that would come over every morning and take a dump on my front lawn. Some days he would even bring his dog.
Bloggingly yours, Manny and Alan.
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On May 25th, 2006 at 12:00 am
I just want to say that growing up, we had a schnauzer named Betsy. She was my Bronk. I also lived on a street called Xerxes Avenue…so my pornstar name would be Betsy Xerxes.
On May 25th, 2006 at 12:00 am
My pornstar name would have been BRONK WOODLAND. It’s got “WOOD” in it. Tee-hee.
On May 25th, 2006 at 12:00 am
LOL. my pornstar name is “Muffin Summerwinds”
HOLLAH!
On May 25th, 2006 at 12:00 am
Jack Palance was the man. R.I.P…His hosting of “Ripley’s believe it or not!” can never be matched. Scary dude…!!!
IGOR (EYE-GOR) was my first cat. She was a real trooper…I’m getting a little misty eyed just thinkin of her. R.I.P. to her too!!!
On May 25th, 2006 at 12:00 am
Uh…Jack Palance is still alive and doing one handed push ups in California. In fact, I think your first cat is still alive as well doing the same thing.
On May 25th, 2006 at 12:00 am
Jack and Desi would have made a killer buddy cop show. Picture MIAMI VICE with them as the leads. That would have rocked!
On May 25th, 2006 at 12:00 am
Bronk looked a little like a wolf or maybe it’s Chewbacca. And didn’t you ever cut your grass? It’s like a jungle back there.
On May 25th, 2006 at 12:00 am
I was like 5 years old when that picture was taken, I didn’t start doing yard work until I was 6. Boy was the grass high by then!
On May 25th, 2006 at 12:00 am
How handsome was Desi I ask you? He was so smooth. And Jack was just a creepy guy in general with his gravelly, breathy voice.
On May 25th, 2006 at 12:00 am
My first pet was a cat named Sooty. He was the business. But then my neighbor put down rat poison and I found Sooty dead in the garden. I cried.
My next cat ran away in a strange town when we stopped to check on him in our trunk)during a move. He had escaped from his little hutch a few minutes earlier. I was sad but I was distracted by the excitement of moving to a new place so got over it ok.
My next pet was a goldfish who got a strange fungus growth on him 2 days after I got him. He died and was thrown into some bushes by way of a burial.
Then my budgie died of a heart attack after 8 years of relatively good times.
Moral of this sad tale. Get a dog. Every other animal is a pain in the butt.
On May 25th, 2006 at 12:00 am
I think the morale of this story is you shouldn’t have pets!
On May 25th, 2006 at 12:00 am
THIS IS SO MUCH FUN. Love your special childhood animal, Bronk! OH SO SOFT and CUDDLY! What about the other Characters? KEEP this coming, i can’t imagine that any of the characters were created without inspiration.
On May 25th, 2006 at 12:00 am
Oh eventually I will get to the secondary and tertiary characters. Some are inspired by close friends.
On May 25th, 2006 at 12:00 am
Will there be any other cuban themes in this show?
On May 25th, 2006 at 12:00 am
Yes! Bronk smokes nothing but cigars and Bongo is communist!