By Priscilla Hall
In Memory of Machaca
December 6, 2007—September 6, 2022
One chilly January day in California, I had an unexpected encounter that changed my life. A man stood in front of a 99 Cent Store with a cardboard box next to his right foot and his left hand cupped over his heart. On closer inspection, he was cupping a very tiny puppy in that hand. All I could see was its tiny head and a white spot on its fawn-colored head. The puppy was a female Chihuahua.
I fell in love at first sight! My husband paid for her, and she became a superb partner and best friend. I named her immediately. I held her up and said, “Meet Machaca!” It felt like we had a bolt of lightning surge between us. A team was formed.
My husband and I had faced a tragedy that left us crushed and hopelessly sad. Machaca was our rescuer. She brought us out of our doldrums with her charm and puppy antics. I signed her up for training on our way home when we stopped to buy a few items necessary to welcome her to her new home. We made one more stop before going home, our veterinarian. Machaca was weighed and an appointment was made for her vaccinations.
At two months old, Machaca weighed 1.3 pounds. She fit within my cupped hand. If I covered her loosely with my other cupped hand, I could effectively hide her completely.
I did not have any intention of dressing her in costumes, initially. That was a happy accident. At four months old, she began her puppy class. It was March and the concrete floor was cold for a tiny, low-to-the-ground Chihuahua. I felt she needed something to keep her warm.
Her first outfit was quickly fashioned from the top of tube sock. It worked, but I knew I could make something better. That is where our partnership really began. Much to Machaca’s chagrin, I could sew and crochet. Her wardrobe grew to 130 outfits and costumes.
Machaca and I found our way into costume competitions. We were quite successful in our efforts. She was Best in Show at the second annual Tlaquepaque Pet-A-Walky, and Mother Road Brewery’s dog competition.
Mother Road Brewery had contestants run an Agility Course. Machaca was the second dog to run. I told the owner/manager that she did agility, but she didn’t DO agility. As we stood waiting for the command to start. I could feel that electricity surge up the leash. I felt Machaca thinking, “I’ll show them!”
She actually DID the course with speed and efficiency. Tunnels, weave poles, jumps, and all. It felt like we were at it for at least three minutes, but I was wrong. Her time was 29.5 seconds. When we joined my husband after our run, he said, “She hit those tunnels like her tail was on fire!”
Among her awards at Mother Road Brewery was a 50 pound bag of Dog Chow. A life-time supply if only she could manage the size of the nuggets. I arranged for one of the judges to take it to the shelter where she worked. I made donations like that whenever practical. Machaca also added to her collection of trophies.
She won more that two dozen trophies and accumulated hundreds of dollars in cash and prizes. When we weren’t competing, we were out and about Flagstaff greeting people with her favorite trick: “Who’s your friend?” She would put her front paw (the size of my index finger pad) on the foot of the person standing before her.
One September 11th, we went to the local fire station and rang the bell. I told the woman-fire-fighter that Machaca had a message for her. I said to Machaca, “Who’s your HERO!” It took more effort for her to swing her leg up to reach the top of the steel-toed boot, but she managed.
The woman was enchanted and said, “Stay here. I want to get the other firemen for this.” The Captain received his message directly from Machaca and said, “You have to go to the other firehouses!” We made four more such visits that day.
Machaca’s education with Puppy, Intermediate and Advanced Classes, and Click-A-Trick was completed when she passed the Canine Good Citizen test, the first Chihuahua to ever pass the CGC at that location. We moved on to a doggy dance trainer.
Initially, the response from the dance trainer was pretty flat-lined. After Machaca performed tricks and obedience commands for a solid 30 minutes, the trainer’s eyes were sparkling. Machaca was panting, and I gave her a drink of water out of her pink plastic shot glass. The trainer was inspired and said, with a snap of her fingers, “That’s it! She dances to Tequila!” Machaca started with a drink from the shot glass and ended by stepping on the easy button. “That was easy!”
Tricks, she had a few. She was a remarkable student. She mastered a new trick every two weeks. Machaca insisted on doing her homework each evening. I realize she was treat motivated, but she did tricks for at least 30 minutes each night.
She won a costume contest at Barley Hound Pub in Prescott which led to her becoming a regular on Sandy and Friends on AZTV as the Calendar Girl. She appeared in the appropriate costume for holidays for several months. Machaca got that job on her own! That’s impressive. If you would like to see her in some of the costumes she wore on “Sandy and Friends,” go to Facebook and search “Machaca Puparazzi.”
I made most of Machaca’s outfits and costumes. It became a hobby and a mission. She brought so much happiness to me and so many others in their brief meetings. I strongly believe that was the purpose in her life. Spreading happiness came easy to her. She oozed charm and personality.
Machaca will be a difficult act to follow, but my heart is crushed. I know of only one cure. I cannot possibly replace Machaca; I won’t even try. I must find another Chihuahua. Hopefully one that can fit into her costumes and outfits.
At fourteen years and ten months, Machaca was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. She suffered several attacks or episodes. Some were obviously painful. I sent her to the rainbow bridge to join my other four-legged loves to wait for me. She will be there.
At such a sad time, I find peace in the thought that the Boss planned much shorter lives for our fur babies because He expects us to care for more of His creations.
