Trends for August 20, 2001

Lisa Ferguson

Monday, Aug. 20, 2001 | 8:26 a.m.

Back to school

We know the first day of school is right around the corner. And we know you're stressing out about it. But don't.

That's the message from the makers of Olay skin-care products. Besides using the company's products (including Oil of Olay, an aging bottle of which your mom or grandma probably has buried in a bathroom drawer), the company also offers a few no-brainer tips for "managing school-day stress." Among them:

Chill out

Speaking of stress, in the better-late-than-never category comes "Handbook for the New Millennium: 94 Thoughts for a Wonderful Life," authored by C.F. Brunish (RSGS, $19.95).

The book, which Brunish dedicated simply "To You," is full of mantras accompanied by sappy photos of kitty cats, raindrops and puffy clouds that we assume are supposed to help readers cope with the daily grind.

"Don't choose victimhood" is the reminder beneath a picture of a bunny. Maybe "Elmer Fudd ahead" would have been a more appropriate warning for the rabbit, anyway.

Ever wonder what a dandelion looks like up really, really, really close? See it here and learn that "Goodness never goes out of style." Huh?

And did you know "The bug on your windshield may be there to help you navigate"? Unless, of course, that bug splattered on glass while you were careening down the highway. Then it's probably just blocking your view of the road.

Home sweet home

Even your pets can be stressed out. And if you live in Miami, Fido is probably freaking out right about now.

The Florida city ranked 50th last place, in other words among the "pet healthiest cities in America," as designated in a recent report from the Purina Pet Institute.

The pet-food maker actually has a think tank (called the Healthy Pets 21 Consortium) that came up with the list. Criteria that cites had to meet were health (including the veterinarian-to-pet ratio), services (the number of certified shelters and average annual pet-related expenditures) and legislation (such as rabies vaccination requirements and pet ID programs).

Denver took top honors for being the friendliest place for pets, with Minneapolis, Columbus, Ohio; Philadelphia, Seattle, Portland, Ore.; Washington, D.C.; San Francisco, Phoenix and Hartford, Conn., rounding out the top 10. Las Vegas landed at No. 41.