Extended slumber party for a dozen shelter dogs

A Montecito family is celebrating the season of giving by adopting a dog named Parker.

The chihuahua is over a year old and was taken home by Paula Kislak during Christmas weekend.

Kislak’s friend told her about Santa’s Slumber Party, a holiday foster program at Santa Barbara County Animal Services. Kislak showed up after closing hours. She didn’t have many dogs to choose from. Parker was the only one left.

“When I saw him I thought okay that’s going to be trouble. That’s going to be hard work not falling in love,” said Paula Kislak.

This is the second annual Santa’s Slumber Party. The pilot program began in the Santa Barbara shelter in 2015. This year, 42 dogs were fostered for the holiday weekend. 12 foster families made it official by adopting the dogs.