1. A Journeyof Hope A Journey of Hope A True Story of A True Story of Nick and Bugs

2. Bugs is a special rabbit.

3. Bugs came to live with his owner, Nick Hebert in New Orleans, Louisiana in 2004. Bugs lives in a big rabbit cage.

4. Bugs and Nick are best friends. Bugs stayed in his cage in Nicks room. Nick took care of him.

5. On August 27 th Nick Hebert and his family had to evacuate from their home in New Orleans because Hurricane Katrina was headed their way. Hurricane Katrina hit on August 29 th.

6. Nicks mom and family left Bugs food in his cage not for him to be hungry until they returned.

7. Nicks family went to stay at his grandparents home in New Roads, Louisiana until Hurricane Katrina left New Orleans.

8. Hurricane Katrina was very powerful. Flood waters caused the levees to break in New Orleans. The water went almost to the ceiling in Nick and Bugs house.

9. Nick and his family could not get home to check on Bugs. The water stayed at 7 feet in their house for a long time.

10. Nick and his family were all very, very sad. They thought Bugs had drowned with all the water in their house. There was water everywhere!

11. Then Nick and his family went to live with his moms family in Erath, Louisiana. Their home was still flooded.

12. Nick and his twin sister Emily started at Erath Middle because they could not return home. Nick still missed Bugs very much and thought about him often.

13. On Thursday, September 22, 2005, another Hurricane was headed toward Louisiana. So the schools dismissed early and Nicks family evacuated again. This was Hurricane Rita.

14. Everyone went to Nicks dads parents in New Roads, Louisiana to be safe from Hurricane Rita.

15. Everyone was now worried about Hurricane Rita flooding Erath and Vermilion Parish. Nick missed Bugs even more. Even though she was going to hit Texas, people knew the area would be flooded.

16. Nicks grandparents home in Erath did not flood, but most homes and the three Erath schools did.

17. Nick, his sister and all of the Erath children had to go to new schools.

18. On October 6, school started again. Nick and his sister had the same teachers, but they were in a different school again. Nick still thought of Bugs a lot and missed him.

19. On Saturday, October 8, 2005 Nicks parents were finally allowed to go back and see their damaged house. The damages were horrible.

20. When Nicks mom got to Nicks room everything was knocked down. His bunk bed was flipped over by the large amount of water.

21. Nicks mom looked for Bugs cage and saw it in the same place.

22. Nicks mom started to look for Bugs. Then she suddenly saw him move. Bugs was still alive! She picked him up and made Bugs feel safe. Bugs was still scared about the storm. Bugs had stayed safe in his cage for 42 days!

23. Nicks mom and dad gave him some safe water. Then they realized that the plastic bottom of Bugs cage helped him float in the flooded water and saved his life.

24. They stopped at Burger King and a lady who worked there, gave Bugs free lettuce. Then Nicks Mom and Dad brought Bugs to Erath for Nick to hold him again. Nick was so excited and happy to hold his rabbit again.

25. Nick and Bugs had a happy reunion.

26. THE END Written and created by Nicks Hebert Aunt Stacy Bodin and Great Aunt Beth Hebert.

27. Factual Information Nick Hebert is the son of Thomas and Janine (Bodin) Hebert. The family lost their home and all of its contents during Hurricane Katrinas visit to New Orleans on August 27, 2005. Nick has a twin sister named Emily. Both attend St. Pius Elementary in New Orleans. During the two months they evacuated they attended Erath Middle School in Erath, Louisiana. His maternal grandparents are Larson Cap and Gertie (Hebert) Bodin of Erath. His paternal grandparents are Avit and Penny (Bergeron) Hebert of New Roads, Louisiana. The story of Bugs and Nick is a true story. The home in New Orleans was located at 1370 Mithra Street. Seven feet of flood waters from the broken levee after Hurricane Katrina hit remained for over three weeks in the Hebert home. Nick Hebert is the son of Thomas and Janine (Bodin) Hebert. The family lost their home and all of its contents during Hurricane Katrinas visit to New Orleans on August 27, 2005. Nick has a twin sister named Emily. Both attend St. Pius Elementary in New Orleans. During the two months they evacuated they attended Erath Middle School in Erath, Louisiana. His maternal grandparents are Larson Cap and Gertie (Hebert) Bodin of Erath. His paternal grandparents are Avit and Penny (Bergeron) Hebert of New Roads, Louisiana. The story of Bugs and Nick is a true story. The home in New Orleans was located at 1370 Mithra Street. Seven feet of flood waters from the broken levee after Hurricane Katrina hit remained for over three weeks in the Hebert home.