Betsy Arakawa, the late wife of renowned actor Gene Hackman, was deeply devoted to her husband and their three canine companions. This insight comes from Joey Padilla, the owner of Santa Fe Tails and the couple's trusted dog trainer for a decade. Padilla shared with Fox News Digital that Arakawa was especially vigilant about Hackman's well-being, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Arakawa managed most of the couple's errands, always accompanied by their three dogs. Padilla recounted how the dogs were inseparable from Arakawa, joining her on every outing, from shopping trips to dinner engagements. "These dogs were attached to Betsy," Padilla explained. "Anytime Betsy had an errand to do, they went with her."
Padilla revealed it had been over a month since his last encounter with Arakawa. He emphasized the profound bond between the couple and their dogs, stating, "It's hard to explain and encompass how much these dogs meant to these people." Former homicide detective Ted Williams, speaking to Fox News Digital, suggested that the dogs' protective nature would likely have been evident if an intruder had entered the Hackman residence. He noted there was no indication of such a scenario in the ongoing investigation.
Padilla refrained from speculating on the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the couple and one of their dogs, Zinna, a 12-year-old mixed breed. However, he affirmed Arakawa's unwavering dedication to her animals, saying, "There is nothing that Betsy wouldn't do for those three dogs." He fondly recalled the inseparable connection between Arakawa and Zinna. The couple's two surviving German shepherds, Bear (4) and Nikita (7), required a challenging rescue effort, with Nikita proving particularly difficult to retrieve, according to Padilla.
Padilla also highlighted the couple's generosity and long-standing support for animal welfare. He shared anecdotes of their contributions to the local humane society and their thoughtful gestures towards the staff at Santa Fe Tails, such as providing Christmas dinners. "They were so kind and generous," Padilla remarked.
