Jilly,
Samurai was an impulse rescue from Wal-mart, though I love fish and had a small tank of several when I brought him home. I had actually decided on this beautiful red that caught my eye. I had to move Samurai's cup to reach that one. He seemed so miserable stuck in that little cup and I felt drawn to him so home he came.
I don't remember the last time I made the decision to have a pet, they choose me instead. Right now, we are still dealing with the aftermath of Katrina so I won't be offering a home to any new critters just yet.
I have spoken to my husband about having multiple tanks, both large and small and we decided to do this after we are settled again. So if you hear about some crazed Rogue zipping through Wal-mart with a cart full of Betta...I am ok, really...they all asked to come home with me, hehe.
I miss Samurai. But having seen him flow from one health issue to another prepared me for his passing, I think. I didn't expect him to live long, I only wanted to try to offer him something better in his remaining time. The name seemed right for him then and I suppose it was since he battled for life for over a year with us. May his spirit know peace in the next phase of existence for him.