These are the dog days of summer. If you're like me, you've probably always assumed sled-racing dogs spend their summers like teachers: in warm, cushy semi-retirement.

Not true of Eden Dogsledding's (the name itself a bit of misnomer, at least in the summer) dogs, where more than two dozen Alaskan Huskies pull guests across some 75 acres of pristine, protected Vermont wilderness, using a custom designed, German-engineered sled on wheels. Race champion Jim Blair strives to provide a fun, educational, safe and scenic experience for all of his guests. And more importantly, animal welfare is paramount. To that end, all of their dogs are free range - they are unchained and are given ample, free access to humans, which helps them reach their full potential as good, trustworthy, fun human companions.

"Spend a few hours mushing with Jim Blair and you're ready to chuck it all for a half a dozen Alaskan Huskies and a sled." - Boston Globe Travel Section.

For more information on the Eden Dogsledding, please visit edendogsledding.com or call toll free 802-635-9070.

Excerpt taken from "The Stash", a NEW local program airing on Smuggs TV 9 - an Outside Television affiliate.