Retractable leashes – Worth it or not?

Heather Ainsley  reporter3.riverbendnews@gmail.com  Viral videos online depict a common scenario: an unsuspecting dog owner holds a retractable leash in one hand while locking her front door behind her with the other, preparing to take Fido for a walk. Fido, meanwhile, sees something off- camera and makes a run for it, quickly using up all of the available length of his retractable leash until, with one jerking motion, his owner is yanked unceremoniously to the ground, losing her grip on the leash and injuring herself while Fido uses his newfound freedom to chase after the object of his desire.  While these videos might earn a sympathetic gasp or even a small chuckle from some vi