| Introduction
Hi, I'm Becki and am the owner of Watercolors Koi Farm located in the county near Salem, VA. This is a home-based business and I am licensed through Roanoke County, Virginia. You will not find a phone number as it is still listed under my private name; nor will you locate the business in any directory unless it is the newest Roanoke County business directory. I probably am not listed yet as the business license was procurred August 2008. Had a good year selling larger koi through local pet shops last summer and wanted to be "legal." Finally was getting organized - had business cards and other items needed for conducting a business, but was "cashing out" - no loans. Do to insurance liability, I wanted to be open to the public only by appointment. Never know when someone may bring a child around the ponds and leave unattended! You can see I'm still a "mid-shifter" in my sleep habits (close to 4am now) even though I've been off on disability for several years from a work-related accident. Koi-keeping was my hobby and even my doctor suggested that it would be good theraputic exercise for mind and body......something to occupy my time that I had loved and enjoyed for nearly 20 years.
Enchanted and I were doing this for our love and appreciation of koi, not for the $$! If you think we may be attempting to condemn a competitor, that is absolutely false. Because of our appreciation of koi, we only wanted to protect others from having to go through the horrible experience of KHV. The guy is off Ebay and that was my goal. I'm too nice, I guess, but I don't want to ruin him - I realize that these are hard times. Nor am I placing blame for the loss of my personal stock....that had to be my fault. Just discovered that all bleach is not the same - the good smelling bleach is for laundry use and is not to be used for sanitization! Believe me, I've already gone through 12-15 gallons and still have 5 more large ponds to clean.
If you're ever in Salem, VA send me a message via private mail and I would love for you to visit. Of course, there are no koi here yet and we are temporarily closed (probably for the rest of 2009) as we have a VERY LARGE renovation to accomplish. I'm pulling all liners and starting with a clean slate to incorporate a Zen garden with ponds appropriately incorporated and hard plumbed. Any input or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I have 20 years of equipment and decor to clean and store away from the proposed water/Zen garden area. I have to tear apart 2 ponds so I can even get our T-rex into the area to load up all the rocks and blocks as I'm not going to have them dozed under. I've gathered rocks out of rivers and creeks for 20 years and am not about to do that again!
Enchanted and I have been successful in accomplishing our initial goal. If this guy wants to sue - COME ON! I'm not afraid as I've only stated hard facts and no judge would rule in his favor with my evidence. I have a law enforcement background and am knowledgeable in recording all activities, emails and phone conversations. We have two highly respected outside sources who would be willing to testify and photos/documentation proving beyond any doubt the last surviving koi were included in the shipment received from the wholesaler. These tests are so accurate that it can be determined as to when the koi became infected. Again, Enchanted has the medical background so she can use the appropriate terminology.
In my opinion, there is no need for future input regarding this matter. We've drained the subject, yet KHV still needs to be discussed in detail and and we should all work toward encouraging some agency to appropriate funding for further research.
Watercolors Koi Farm
~Enhancing the Art of the Pond
Note: This is not promoting my business as it is presently "on Hold, under construction, with no koi on premises."
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07-08-2009
Quote: 
Perhaps there could be a natl club liason that helped affected retailers with the growers?
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