A Journey of Hope

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A Journey of Hope

• A True Story of Nick and Bugs

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Bugs is a special rabbit.
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Bugs came to live with his owner, Nick
Hebert in New Orleans, Louisiana in 2004. Bugs
lives in a big rabbit cage.
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Bugs and Nick are best friends. Bugs stayed
in his cage in Nicks room. Nick took care of
him.
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On August 27th 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 29th.
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Nicks mom and family left Bugs food in his
cage not for him to be hungry until they returned.
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Nicks family went to stay at his
grandparents home in New Roads, Louisiana until
Hurricane Katrina left New Orleans.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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Then Nick and his family went to live with
his moms family in Erath, Louisiana. Their home
was still flooded.
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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.
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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.
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Everyone went to Nicks dads parents in New
Roads, Louisiana to be safe from Hurricane Rita.
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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.
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Nicks grandparents home in Erath did not
flood, but most homes and the three Erath schools
did.
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Nick, his sister and all of the Erath
children had to go to new schools.
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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.
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On Saturday, October 8, 2005 Nicks parents
were finally allowed to go back and see their
damaged house. The damages were horrible.
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When Nicks mom got to Nicks room everything
was knocked down. His bunk bed was flipped over
by the large amount of water.
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Nicks mom looked for Bugs cage and saw it
in the same place.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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Nick and Bugs had a happy reunion.
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THE END
Written and created by Nicks Hebert Aunt Stacy
Bodin and Great Aunt Beth Hebert.
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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.