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The Ark Pet Shop is located in the middle of campus town in Ames. Dave Metcalf celebrated the shop's 20th anniversary in October. The shop offers birds, reptiles, guinea pigs, rabbits, and fish in addition to the food and supplies for these pets. Dave offers good quality koi at a good price. The advise is free. Dave told me after twenty years if he hasn't already learned it, he knows who to contact for the answer (usually it's Jamie).
When I asked Dave at the October meeting when a good time was to meet him for this article, he said mid-morning on most days wasn't real busy. So I arranged to stop by mid-morning on Monday. When I arrived, there was a family of three looking at guinea pigs. Dave was feeding and watering the birds, about 130 in all, so we visited while he worked. The family picked out a guinea pig, so Dave excused himself to help them. A little while later the phone rang. Another customer came in, then another. Then the phone rang again. Two more customers came in. All this was within the half-hour I was there. Dave graciously gave his time to me and to all of his customers. Graciously giving is a great phrase to describe Dave.
He gives generously to CIWGA by providing door prizes at various times throughout the year. Dave gave of his time to escort October's presenter Andy Dall from Tetra to dinner. The Ark Pet Shop was one of the first Fountains of Support for our organization, giving discounts to members. Dave gives generously to his customers by answering questions and providing assistance when they need it. For example, one of the phone calls he took during the interview was from a customer who had a fish problem. Dave suggested the caller bring the fish back with a water sample from their tank to test to help find out the problem.
Dave and the Ark Pet Shop can provide year-round support for ponders. He carries fish food, air pumps, and heaters in addition to aquarium supplies. Soon Dave will have the often talked about Luft pumps (he has already contacted the company that bought the manufacturer out).
Dave is also into water gardens. He told me that when he and his wife moved into their house 25 years ago, there was a concrete, kidney shaped pond already there, the concrete has been replaced by a rubber liner. They now have three ponds. He has a large koi pond that flows under his deck. The Metcalf's were on the Central Iowa Water Garden Tour in 2002.