Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship, and Survival

By Mary Nethery and Kirby Larson

Book Overview

This modern classic from Newbery award winning author Kirby Larson and Mary Nethery is a remarkable true story of the devotion, friendship, and survival of two pets left behind in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. A testament to the spirit that defined post-Katrina rescue missions, this beautiful picture book has been a favorite of young readers for fifteen years.

During Hurricane Katrina, evacuating New Orleans residents were forced to leave their pets behind. Bobbi the dog was initially chained to keep her safe, but after her owners failed to return, she had to break free. For months, Bobbi wandered the city's ravaged streets--dragging her chain behind her--followed by her feline companion, Bob Cat. After months of hunger and struggle, the Two Bobbies were finally rescued by a construction worker helping to rebuild the city. When he brought them to a shelter, volunteers made an amazing discovery about the devoted friends--Bob Cat was actually blind He had survived the aftermath of the storm by following the sound Bobbi's chain made as she dragged it along the ground.

At the shelter, the two bob-tailed friends refused to be parted, even for a moment. Could rescue workers find the Bobbies' owners? Or could they find a new home that would take them together?

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0802797547
• ISBN13: 9780802797544
• Release Date: September 2008
• Publisher: Bloomsbury U.S.A. Children's Books
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.83 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 8.8" x 10.1"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Kindergarten to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

One of the best animals stories

This is one of the best stories of animals left behind in Hurricane Katrina! A wonderful outcome but not without trials for the two "Bobbies" a dog and cat! I read this to daughter at home and she wanted to take it to her Pre-school/Kindergarten class the next day! An additional plus for her and the children was this was based on a real animal stories! The kids loved it! Wonderful book that illustrates the meaning of true friendship and dependencey animals have between them! You can not go wrong with this book! Savanna

Lovely, Gentle Story

I remember reading about Bob Cat and Bobbi on the Best Friends website just after I came home from Celebration Station. This is a gentle and sweet story to share with my young students when we talk about Hurricane Katrina. I hope more good outcome stories from that time and place will be made into books for young readers.

Heartwarming true story

We brought this home from the library, not realizing that it was a true story. The adults in the house enjoyed it as much as the children. We knew we wanted it in our home library.

Pawsitively Tender

Kirby Larson and Mary Nethery bring us a completely satisfying story of friendship that reaches across the canine-feline divide and lifts us two-legged critters to a higher plane of existence. We can only hope to achieve the same quality of love and compassion that comes so naturally to Bobbi and Bob Cat. The tale of these two survivors of Hurricane Katrina and its manmade aftermath will lay its paw print on your heart. It might even make you a better person. I highly recommend this book for friends with and without fur. (I gave one to my friend, Jack the wonder dog, and he enjoyed it tremendously.)

For pet lovers, it's a bit of a tear jerker!

I was looking for some books for my son and came upon the Two Bobbies purely by accident. I picked it up because I love animals and saw the mention of Hurricane Katrina. As I paged and read through the book, the tears ran down my face. It's a beautiful story and one that both children and parents will love. My husband wondered what made it so emotional (as he gaped at me crying in the middle of the store!) and I said that it was really just a simple story of friendship that made it special. So many poor animals suffered from Hurricane Katrina. It was nice to read this special story.