Bombo a wonderful dream come true

Before Tony Vincent passed away in 2011 from metastatic melanoma, Bombo the Wonder Dog came to him as a vision.

Not being the creative type, family members thought he had dreamt up the character, but Tony was sure Bombo was real.

Bombo looked just like his own dog, Oggie, Tony told his family, and he went on adventures — adding to the story every day.

Wife Suzi said it was one of the more pleasant and surprising side effects of the melanoma.

“The doctors felt that small brain tumours were pushing on creative and imaginative parts of the brain,” she said.

“I don’t actually remember the first time he mentioned the character but I think initially I thought it might have been a dream.

“But Tony said ‘no he’s real’, so he really believed that Bombo was real.”

The Vincents lived in Dampier for 11 years, moving away in 2008, but son Andrew still lives in Karratha.

After Tony died some of his ashes were spread out over Dampier, a favourite spot of his.

Suzi said links to their Dampier past could be seen in the story when Bombo learns to pilot a giant ocean liner.

Other adventures Bombo embarks on during the tale include learning to drive aeroplanes, trucks, submarines and more, with his real desire being to drive a train.

The process was about two years in the making from deciding to publish a book and having the finished product, Suzi said.

“The process was a lot more involved than we originally thought because we wanted a really good product because we want to raise money for Legacy,” she said.

Suzi said the feedback she had received from readers had been positive, with people enjoying the uplifting message and funny storyline.

“I think (Tony) would be amazed,” she said.

“I’m sure Tony would never have believed that it would have gone that way.

“But it’s a legacy to him as well … and even for future grandchildren it will be pretty cool to go to school and say ‘my grandfather was the creator of Bombo’.”

All profits from the sale of the books will be donated to Legacy, a testament to Tony’s time in the naval service during the Vietnam War.

The book is for sale at Dampier Seafarers Centre or by emailing Suzi at bombodog3@gmail.com.