June 16, 2025 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Dog Spas vs. Justice for Homeless Veterans

You’d be amazed at how many press releases we get promoting the darndest things.

Just read some of the verbiage from this press release promoting a holiday getaway for dogs:

“Pooch Hotel Santa Monica†, we’re told, is a “five star†fitness center for dogs, complete with poolside cabanas, “palace†suites, a spa, perfectly manicured grass, all enclosed by a white picket fence.

Amenities include DogTV, a custom swimming pool complete with floating dog beds, “Poochberry facials,†massage, aromatherapy, “paw-dicures†and – get this – a 6-foot tall fire hydrant!

Pooch Hotel is a “luxury, best-in-class hotel that just might be nicer than a human getaway,†we’re told. This is where dogs receive “celebrity treatment.â€

Now, maybe this gives some of you a last-minute gift idea, but it personally makes me sad: It’s true what they say in their press release: This place surely is nicer than many humans get to experience.

It has been reported in the news lately that homelessness is down, especially among veterans. The Cal State veteran retirement home on the VA campus is finally starting to staff up – probably the beneficiary of Prop. 30 passing – which will lead to filling the heretofore mostly empty rooms. Hooray!

And the VA campus will, by 2015, see an upgrade of Building 209, which will house 55 fairly down-and-out homeless veterans on the road to recovery.

This is all good news, but it’s hard not to think of homeless veterans as belonging to a special class. Many of these folks would probably be OK today had they not gone off to war, getting shot up in the process.

We can never forget that they did this for US. Sure, they knew the risks, but I doubt a single one ever expected to spend the rest of his or her life emotionally or physically disabled.

Their current condition is likely an offshoot of PTSD or some other mental health impairment that was brought about in a combat situation. And now, in an attempt to self-medicate, many have turned to drugs or alcohol. As they spiral downward, they end up on the streets.
This is an exceptionally tough problem, without a doubt. Many homeless are quite paranoid about coming in from the cold – and resist legitimate help.

Robert Rosebrock, a Brentwood veterans activist, can be seen every Sunday in front of the VA gates, protesting what he and “The Old Veterans Guard†view as a lack of help for homeless veterans.

He points out that a tent city on the VA campus could provide a lot more shelter a lot faster – and at a fraction of the cost – than the rehabbing of Building 209 ever will.

Robert Rosebrock is kind of a pain, I know this first-hand. Once a year or so, he and I practically come to blows.

But agitators for social progress often are a pain. At the time, abolitionists, suffragettes, civil rights activists and, in recent years, those pushing for equality for gays or animal rights – have all “irritated their way†toward a more just outcome. Over time, the new way of doing things simply becomes absorbed as conventional wisdom.

Just as people now have a hard time believing women couldn’t vote or black people were in chains, maybe, soon enough, people will be horrified that so many homeless veterans – the men and women who fought for our country – were left out on the streets for so long.

I look forward to the day when I get a press release showing that we have achieved housing and treatment for all homeless veterans who need it – and not just a few lucky ones who eventually find their way into Building 209.
For now, we’ll continue to sort through an in-box full of press releases for dog spas and other such things. I don’t mean to depress anyone during the holidays. And I’m all for happy dogs. But during the holidays, we all need to take a moment to remember those far less fortunate than ourselves – and our pets, even.

in News
Related Posts

(Video) Home Front Build Maintains Original Architectural Vision For Modern Homes

June 16, 2025

June 16, 2025

For More Information, Go to homefrontbuild.com For More Information, Go to https://t.co/09lHZipJnM pic.twitter.com/2GrcD7UJVi — Westside Today (@WestsideLAToday) June 16, 2025

Culver City ‘No Kings’ Protesters Rally Peacefully Against ICE Raids, Trump Policies

June 15, 2025

June 15, 2025

Demonstration Draws Large Crowd, Spans Several Blocks Without Police Presence There was a large and peaceful protest in Culver City...

Americans Split on Immigration and Tariffs’ Impact on Housing Affordability, Survey Shows

June 15, 2025

June 15, 2025

Survey Finds Over Half Believe Less Immigration Could Drive Up Home Prices  A new Redfin-commissioned survey reveals that U.S. homeowners...

Two Suspects Arrested in Fatal Stabbing of Elderly Man in Hancock Park

June 15, 2025

June 15, 2025

LAPD and FBI Apprehend Palmdale Pair Accused of Killing 84-Year-Old LAPD West Bureau Homicide has arrested two suspects in connection...

Senator Alex Padilla Forcibly Removed, Handcuffed at DHS Press Briefing in Los Angeles

June 13, 2025

June 13, 2025

Security or Censorship? Padilla Removed After Questioning Secretary Kristi Noem U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., was forcibly removed Thursday during...

Get Involved in Culver City’s Ballona Creek Beautification This Weekend

June 13, 2025

June 13, 2025

Volunteers Invited to for a Hands-on Environmental Restoration Local organizations are calling on community members to lend a hand in...

Federal Court Halts Order Requiring Trump to Return Control of California Guard to Governor Newsom

June 13, 2025

June 13, 2025

Court Showdown Looms Over Trump’s Federalization of State Troops Late Thursday, a federal appeals court paused enforcement of a lower...

‘No Kings: National Day of Defiance’ Protest in LA to Run Counter to Donald Trump’s Birthday Military Parade

June 13, 2025

June 13, 2025

Giant Trump Balloons, Pride Flags, and Community Speakers Will Fill the Streets on Flag Day Thousands of demonstrators are expected...

(Video) Senator Alex Padilla Being Forcibly Removed at Secretary Kristi Noem’s DHS Press Conference for Attempting to Ask Questions

June 12, 2025

June 12, 2025

In a disturbing and unprecedented move, FBI agents grabbed the sitting California Senator, dragged him out of the room, and...

Chagee Now Open in Century City, Emily Ratajkowski Attends Opening Ceremony

June 12, 2025

June 12, 2025

Global Tea Powerhouse Opens Its First U.S. Location at Westfield Century City Model and actress Emily Ratajkowski joined Chagee for a ribbon-cutting...

Chefs Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken Serve Up Pride Month Specials That Give Back

June 12, 2025

June 12, 2025

Limited-Time Food, Cocktail Offerings at Socalo and Alice B. Support LGBTQ+ Centers In honor of Pride Month, acclaimed chefs Susan...

(Video) Crustacean’s Little C Pop-Up in Beverly Hills

June 12, 2025

June 12, 2025

Amazing Phở, especially the chicken. Vietnamese street food with the Crustacean flair. Amazing Phở, especially the chicken. Vietnamese street food...

World-Class Chefs and Local Farms Bring Culinary Magic to Santa Monica This June

June 12, 2025

June 12, 2025

3 Nights, 3 Unforgettable Dinners: Santa Monica’s Michelin + Farm Feast Series A trio of exclusive culinary events is set...

Immigrant Opened Her Doors to Injured Deputies and Demonstrators Offering Water, Aid, and Compassion

June 12, 2025

June 12, 2025

Salvadoran Restaurant Becomes Unexpected Refuge During L.A. Immigration Protest As immigration protests swept through parts of Los Angeles County over...

Mastro’s Malibu Reopens With Ocean Views, Signature Steaks, and Nearly Entire Staff Intact

June 11, 2025

June 11, 2025

Iconic Oceanfront Steakhouse Returns With Its Beloved Butter Cake, Nightly Live Music, and Sunset Glamour After a five-month closure due...