def always_iterable(obj, base_type=(str, bytes)):
    """If *obj* is iterable, return an iterator over its items::

        >>> obj = (1, 2, 3)
        >>> list(always_iterable(obj))
        [1, 2, 3]

    If *obj* is not iterable, return a one-item iterable containing *obj*::

        >>> obj = 1
        >>> list(always_iterable(obj))
        [1]

    If *obj* is ``None``, return an empty iterable:

        >>> obj = None
        >>> list(always_iterable(None))
        []

    By default, binary and text strings are not considered iterable::

        >>> obj = 'foo'
        >>> list(always_iterable(obj))
        ['foo']

    If *base_type* is set, objects for which ``isinstance(obj, base_type)``
    returns ``True`` won't be considered iterable.

        >>> obj = {'a': 1}
        >>> list(always_iterable(obj))  # Iterate over the dict's keys
        ['a']
        >>> list(always_iterable(obj, base_type=dict))  # Treat dicts as a unit
        [{'a': 1}]

    Set *base_type* to ``None`` to avoid any special handling and treat objects
    Python considers iterable as iterable:

        >>> obj = 'foo'
        >>> list(always_iterable(obj, base_type=None))
        ['f', 'o', 'o']
    """
    if obj is None:
        return iter(())
    if base_type is not None and isinstance(obj, base_type):
        return iter((obj,))
    try:
        return iter(obj)
    except TypeError:
        return iter((obj,))
