Gene Hackman’s dogs, Bear and Nikita, have left a touching legacy in his final act of loyalty. After their owner’s death, the German Shepherd and Akita-shepherd mix duo led paramedics to Hackman’s body at their Santa Fe mansion home.
The medical examiner initially found the body of 65-year-old Betsy Arakawa, but her husband, 95-year-old Gene Hackman, was nowhere to be found. It wasn’t until Bear and Nikita guided the paramedics that they finally located Hackman in the mudroom at the far end of the sprawling property.
The dogs’ actions were described as their “final act of loyalty” by Santa Fe Fire Chief Brian Moya. One dog sat beside Hackman’s body, while the other remained skittish and refused to leave its owners’ sides due to the commotion.
Hackman died on February 18 from a rare rodent disease called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which his wife had died from seven days earlier. The couple was extremely private in their final years, but their dogs showed remarkable dedication to finding their owner.
Their actions highlight the strong bond between Hackman and his pets, and serve as a touching tribute to the late actor’s memory.
Source: https://www.the-sun.com/entertainment/13766436/gene-hackman-dog-loyalty-owner-dead