Ride for ‘Guido’

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

The third annual Ride Dogs Ride Poker Run is vrooming into its third year this upcoming August long weekend.
The ride is in memory of Glen ‘Guido’ Garland, who died in a bobcat machine accident over year ago, who loved to rescue animals and wanted to help the Calgary Humane Society.
“His dream was always to have a rescue of his own,” said Garland’s wife Diana.
“We decided to continue on his charity. His charity is ‘For Love of Animals’ and that’s of course to help all the rescues.”
However, the Humane Society dropped its sponsorship in the Poker Run and now the Garland-family-led organization has shifted their focus to other foundations.
Last year, the ride raised $25,000 and the hope is that it will continue to increase this year.
“This year we’re doing Forever Homes and the Megans Society,” said Garland.
“We’ve come away from the corporate businesses because we know they can fund pretty good. We decided just to do the smaller rescues to help out because they need the money way more than what the others need.”
She added that the event keeps the family and close friends going in Garland’s memory.
Garland’s 30-year-old son, Munden, who recently got his motorcycle license will take his dad’s 2006 Harley Deluxe out of the garage to ride it in this year’s Poker Run. He said it will be an emotional ride because nothing can replace a father but having that bike just sit there was hard.
“That bike doesn’t deserve to just sit in the garage,” said Munden. “I just want to continue on, people deserve to see that bike. I’m really excited, I think the whole family is.”
The event will run from July 31 and run right through until Aug. 3. The $20 fee will provide four nights of camping, a t-shirt and dinner and live entertainment on Saturday, Aug. 1. The poker run will commence at 11 a.m. on Aug. 1 at the Funny Farm and will make stops in Standard, Rockyford, Strathmore (Green Bar), and the Blue in Carseland, then return to the farm. There will also be a kid’s day on Aug. 2.