The two surviving dogs belonging to actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa “are safe and adjusting” after the couple was mysteriously found dead alongside a third dog in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home last week, their friend told ABC News.
The dog who died, an Australian kelpie mix named Zinfandel or “Zinna,” was found in a crate about 10 to 15 feet from Arakawa’s body when the couple was discovered on Feb. 26, according to officials.
But their two other dogs — Bear, a German shepherd, and Nikki, a German shepherd mix — were found alive. It appeared they had access to a doggy door; one was near Arakawa’s body and the other was located outside, according to Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza.
Joey Padilla, who owns Santa Fe Tails, where Hackman, 95, and Arakawa, 65, often boarded their dogs, has the two surviving dogs in his care.
“They are safe and adjusting,” Padilla told ABC News. “I will be holding on to them until I get word on what Betsy’s wishes for these dogs are.”
“Gene and Betsy were amazing friends and dog lovers,” he said. “Those dogs were Betsy’s babies.”