Bassetopia
The name Bassetopia came from out of the blue as Alicia was trying to console a very scared new foster, Sketch. The shelter we fostered for generally gave us basset hounds because, of course, that is what we know. However, our first non-basset was Sketch, a German short haired pointer mix, who was clearly born a stray and remained a stray for the first couple years of his life. He had a clear fear of people, especially men. After fostering Chloe, a puppy mill dog that totally broke our hearts, we were asked to take Sketch. Of course, we could not say no. The first couple weeks we had Sketch he sat petrified on our loveseat drooling too frightened to go anywhere but into the back year. One day while consoling Sketch Alicia told him he had nothing to fear because this was Bassetopia and the name stuck. Sketch eventfully blossomed and after some incidences started jumping six foot fences it became clear that he could no longer live with us. He now lives in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and is doing well.
The Pack
Currently the pack just consists of Darwin, Wallace, Lily, and their people Ian and Alicia. Ian is a highly trained engineer holding and M.S. in areospace engineering and a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering. Alicia has been an archaeologist, a congressional aide, and still does not know what she wants to be when she grows up. Alicia is trying to finish yet another degree - this time in public administration. She is also taking classes to become certified in website design and nonprofit management and takes art and yoga classes for fun. She is an avid gardener and is the Community Garden Coordinator for the Grant Wood Neighborhood Association and a Master Gardener intern. She is also active in the historic preservation community chairing the Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission and serving as the president of Friends of Historic Preservation. Ian just wishes Alicia would stop taking classes and signing up for committees…
Alicia and Ian are involved in the Big Brother Big Sisters program and have a ten year old little brother, Alex, who has been part of their lives for three and a half years. Alex was Ian's "Best Little Man" at their recent wedding. Besides the time they spend with Alex, they also enjoy cooking, spending time with the pooches, and volunteering at Daphneyland when we are on vacation. With everything else going on and a long honeymoon coming up they currently do not have a foster, but their hearts and home is always open to help.
For More Information:
For more information on Bassets and other puppies you can help please visit http://www.daphneyland.com.