[Drew68]

Hackman died of heart or some thing like that, since ehe seemed to have fallen in. mud room. last event on pace make Feb 17th and they weren’t found for like a week afterwards. Not sure what pills were scattered on counter near wife, but maybe she took too many? dog likely died due to locked in cage no food or water for over a week.

Yep.

Hackman died of natural causes. Wife, distraught, either killed herself with pills or keeled over from shock. Caged dog died without food or water. Other two dogs who were free scavenged.

[moviefan8]

I think you solved the mystery. Your explanation makes sense and gets my vote.