Maybe the last time you thought about a basset you were buying "new school shoes" and Hush Puppies were on your wish list. But there is a group of people in southeastern Wisconsin who think about bassets a lot -- and most of them live with one or two members of that droopy-eyed, floppy-eared breed whose bellies rub the grass when they walk.
They'll converge Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 24 and 25 at Muskego Park for the second annual Basset Fest -- a day and a half of sometimes-wacky games and races, demonstrations, an auction and other activities. More than 200 bassets along with their owners are signed up to attend, but the party is open to anyone who wants to learn more about this breed that elicits dogged devotion and sometimes embarrassingly "ga-ga" affection from their owners.
"Basset hounds are the most loving and loyal dog ... we don't own them -- they own us," said Tony Koscinski, president of Basset Buddies Rescue of Muskego, the group that organized the weekend and raises funds for its dog rescue and fostering activities. Admission to the fest is free to people, but four-leggeds (bassets only, please) pay a donation to Basset Buddies.
On Saturday, owners can find out what their dog is thinking by hooking up with the professional animal communicator or they can pamper their pet with a spa massage. Doggie games will include a Basset Race, a Basset Boxer Relay (that tests the dogs' willingness to race with boxer shorts on) or they can go Bobbing for Dogs (where the bassets, who hate water but love hot dogs, try to grab wieners floating in a pool without getting wet).
On Saturday and Sunday the bassets can test their dogged determination and stamina by participating in the Basset Mile. Owners get sponsors for their dogs who, after months of training and a power breakfast, do the mile -- which is really only 660 feet but it's a long distance for the short-legged bassets! No word on whether the dogs get T-shirts to wear to the gym.
Sunday morning, from 7:30 to 9:30, there is an all-you-can-eat Pancake Breakfast with the Bassets. The pancakes are for the humans and those bringing a basset get to eat for free. The "tail end" of the fest will culminate in all the bassets riding together in the Muskego Days Parade from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. It promises to be quite a spectacle of wagging tails and ears flapping in the breeze.
All the games and activities are rather tongue-in-cheek (or jowl) and camaraderie takes precedent over competition, but the weekend also is meant to foster knowledge about this breed as well as raise funds for Basset Buddies Rescue of Muskego. The group organizes community volunteers who open their homes as foster families to homeless bassets. The dogs are taken in from shelters, strays or are relinquished by their owners. The foster families care for the dogs permanent homes are sought.
{INSERT_RELATED}The group's Web site, www.bbrescue.org, is a good place to learn more about bassets, who were originally bred for hunting small game. Their short legs were ideal for slow trailing which allows hunters to follow on foot. Their signature long ears were genetically developed to stir up and hold the scent for their strong noses to smell, and their wrinkly faces and neck also help trap scents.
Other general breed descriptions include friendly toward people and other pets, they like to be with their "pack" of people rather than alone, and are patient with children. They have a tendency to howl if left alone for long periods of time, will "follow their nose" out of the backyard if not fenced in, and then there is the drool because of its deep pouches. The Web site warns this is an important point for anyone considering adoption because it is one of the major reasons people give up their bassets for adoption. So get out your slobber rag if you want to love a basset!
Basset Fest will be held in Area 3 of Muskego Park from 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. on Saturday, when most of the activities take place, and Sunday from 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., which includes the breakfast and the parade. The park charges $4 for parking. Bring your own lawn chairs or blankets.
