All-in-One Leash Makes Dog-Walking a Treat

Product Name: Dog Leash Plus
Price: $26
Who would like this?: Tech-savvy dog owners; professional dog walkers; man's best friend
Picture this: Jenna's standing in her kitchen on a late Saturday afternoon, browsing dinner recipes on her iPad, when her Jack Russell terrier trots into the room. "Hi, Max," she says. He looks up at her and barks once — just like she trained him. He's ready for a long walk.
Instead of scrambling to find the various accoutrements needed — waste bags, tote filled with treats, water bottle, etc. — she grabs the Dog Leash Plus, dubbed the "Swiss Army knife of dog leashes," and heads out the door.

The Dog Leash Plus comes in four colors — black, green, blue and plum — to match any walker's or dog's style. The flashlight requires three AAA batteries (not included), while the clock requires an LR41 cell battery (included). The leash itself is the standard 16 feet, and works with a locking mechanism: Simply push the button to lock, and push up to unlock (see the Vine video above).
The Dog Leash Plus is practical, stylish and convenient. For the upcoming holidays, consider giving it as a gift to techie friends or relatives of any age, who might benefit from some organization in their daily walking routines, or maybe even an increase in time for more exercise.
Keep in mind that the Dog Leash Plus, like most retractable leashes, is intended for small and medium-sized dogs, so your aunt with the German shepherd probably isn't the best recipient for this gift.

Ian Johnson: 'It makes sense, but it's a shocker'

Ian Johnson is one of Boise State's most adored running backs of all time. Friday he shared his thoughts with us about the coaching transition, including some advice for current and future players.
Johnson, who now calls the Treasure Valley home, says he is shocked but happy for the coach in his new opportunity.
"It makes sense, but it's a shocker," Johnson says. "Because he's such a piece of what Boise is."
What many may not realize is that he was here for the last head coaching change here at BSU as a player and he says it can be tough on young men who have a big decision to make.
He originally came to Boise to play under coach Dan Hawkins, who left just as Ian was getting here. He says it can be an emotional roller coaster for young players.
"It's going to split the locker room," he says. "That's what happened to our locker room. A lot of guys were like 'I don't know what to do. I don't know where to go.' Some guys left. Some guys stayed."
In fact, he almost left.
"So I was 17-years-old, Coach Hawk is leaving, I came here for Coach Hawk, and there is this guy named Coach Pete, who I have no relationship with, coming to take over the team. I was ready to go to Colorado. I was ready to make a decision, and it would have been the wrong one."
That's because Johnson not only got to know Coach Pete, but went on to become a star player for the Broncos from 2006 to 2008.
He scored the game winning two-point conversion on the famous Statue of Liberty play in the Fiesta Bowl in 2007.
Of course, Ian became even more well known around the country for proposing to his girlfriend Chrissy Popadics right afterwards on national television.
Johnson says his advice for players is not to doubt themselves on Petersen leaving, and to do what they've always done.
"The opportunity that is Boise is still the same opportunity," he says. "We are just going to have a different coach. You have to trust the people they are going to put in front of you they are going to do right by the players. So ride it out and see what this year looks like. If you need to make a change, make a change later, but don't make that decision now."