When Queenslander Janine Hanson first welcomed Betty and Wilma, her two French Bulldogs, into her life, she had no idea of the profound impact they would have. Over the years, they became more than just pets—they were family.
“They came to me when I was married and when we separated, they stayed with me” Janine reflects.
“They’ve been through so much alongside me—multiple moves, new beginnings and countless adventures”.
Betty and Wilma, a mother-daughter duo, were retired breeding dogs, aged four and three when they joined her. While closely bonded, each had a unique personality: Betty, spirited and adventurous, and Wilma, a laid-back couch potato with an endless love for snuggles.
Betty’s adventurous spirit was undeterred even as she faced health challenges.
“She lost one eye at seven and the other at nine” Janine recalls. “But that didn’t stop her. She’d stand at the front of a boat, feeling the wind, enjoying every moment.
“Wilma, on the other hand, was the calm and affectionate one, content with the simple joy of being close”.
Together, the trio shared an unbreakable bond.
“I don’t have children, so they filled that space in my heart. They were my kids” Janine says.
As a Road Train driver in Australia’s vast outback, Janine would often be gone for long stretches of time, in isolated places. In moments where she was alone and tired, the affection she held for her dogs would bring her joy. The strength of this companionship was a constant that withstood distance.
In January of 2024, tragedy struck. Wilma passed away, leaving both Janine and Betty heartbroken. “Betty took it really hard” Janine remembers.
“They had never been apart and I think she had a broken heart”. Then, just six months later, Betty also passed away at the age of 14.
Losing both dogs in such a short span was an unimaginable pain for Janine. “It was like losing a part of myself ” she says. “Navigating life without them has been incredibly tough”.
As she processed her grief, Janine sought a way to honour and remember the lives of her beloved companions. Traditional options didn’t feel right, and she was worried about the fragility of certain memorials. That’s when she discovered Reterniti, a company that transforms pet ashes into beautiful, enduring cremation stones.
“When I saw Reterniti’s advertisement, I thought ‘What a beautiful idea’. The concept of a solid, tangible stone felt perfect—a lasting tribute that I could hold close”.
Despite some initial apprehension about sending her dogs’ ashes from Australia to New Zealand, Reterniti’s compassionate and organised approach put her at ease. “Their team was outstanding” she says.
“They kept me informed every step of the way—when the ashes arrived, when they were being processed and during quality inspection. Their genuine care and transparency made all the difference”.
Janine decided to have a single Reterniti Stone crafted from both Betty and Wilma’s ashes, reflecting their inseparable bond. The stone arrived while she was visiting family in England and its unveiling became a poignant family moment.
“We did a video call when it arrived” she recalls. “My entire family was moved to tears. Even my dad, who usually keeps his emotions in check, was deeply touched”.
Today, Betty & Wilma’s Reterniti Stone sits alongside their paw prints and photographs, a cherished centrepiece in Janine’s home. It brings her immense peace, keeping her dogs’ memories close in a way that feels tangible.
“They helped me honour and remember my girls in a way that feels right,” she says. “Their love was unconditional and having this stone keeps that love alive”.
Janine’s experience has resonated with friends, family, and even her veterinarian. For her Reterniti provided more than just a memorial — it offered a path toward healing. As she moves forward, she carries the memory of Betty and Wilma close to her heart, finding comfort in the enduring tribute crafted by Reterniti.
NB: Reterniti services all of Australia and New Zealand
