Goodbye Little Friend

It's my sad duty to report that Bevo died on Thursday evening, December 11th, 2008. He was a wonderful, creative, feisty little being. He died of renal failure as so many betta do. We can't be sure of Bevo's age but it might be related. Unfortunately there is no cure although I'd put him on tetracycline just in case.
He propped himself against a plant in the bottom of his tank with his head down and his tail up. At first, he did this facing the other tank which house the female betta he loved to watch and court from a distance. He then turned around facing the other direction into the current from the filter. I'm not sure exactly why he did this except it might have to do with the current and perhaps with the fact this direction is more quiet.
His jaw was firmly set and his fins flowed with the current. I wasn't sure he was dead until I gently moved the plant to make sure. He was posed like a warrior with armaments showing, facing death not as one who is sick but one who dies a soldier's death. I wanted to take a picture but felt it would be disrespectful.
I'll bury him in my garden next spring when the ground unthaws. This is what is done for those we love.