SKU: 70550320442

Midnight "Don't Judge Me" Ruiz

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Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Jul 19 - Jul 24

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Midnight "Don't Judge Me" RuizNow Available for Presale! Midnight Dont Judge Me Ruiz This graphic novel tells the true story of Midnight, an abandoned pit bull type dog, who wound up at Philadelphias crowded open intake animal shelter in 2019. Due to a minor nip after being adopted, Midnight is returned to the shelter and becomes at risk for euthanasia. Through Rocky like grit, hard work, and a lot of help from his friends, Midnight goes the distance with his demons and learns to

Now Available for Presale!

Midnight “Don’t Judge Me” Ruiz

This graphic novel tells the true story of Midnight, an abandoned pit bull-type dog, who wound up at Philadelphia’s crowded open-intake animal shelter in 2019. Due to a minor nip after being adopted, Midnight is returned to the shelter and becomes at-risk for euthanasia. Through Rocky-like grit, hard work, and a lot of help from his friends, Midnight goes the distance with his demons and learns to love again.  
 
Written and illustrated by animal advocates S. J. Russell and Anne Koszalka, this graphic novel features the gruff, endearing Philadelphia dialect spoken by the two central dog characters, Midnight and Mister. 
 
Anne Koszalka is a Philadelphia potter and artist. (Believe it or not, each of the hundreds of illustrations in the book began as a ceramic tile: each tile was shaped, etched, painted, and then fired in a kiln before being photographed and incorporated into the design.) 
 
Midnight “Don’t Judge Me” Ruiz is a modern-day Rocky story—and highlights the struggle of underdogs labeled "pit bulls," who enter municipal shelters in droves. These dogs are too often unfairly judged based on their looks, and not on their unique personalities. The underlying message conveyed through a couple of witty pure Phillybreds, is that all dogs, like people, are individuals. 
 
Through humor and unvarnished realism, this graphic novel lends authentic insight into the challenges faced by open-admission shelters in cities across the nation. It also shows that everyone plays a role in saving the lives of these worthy animals by making adoption a first option. Above all, this is a story about hope. 

Early Praise for Midnight "Don't Judge Me" Ruiz

"The hundreds of illustrations (which all began as etched ceramic tiles) give the work a unique, decidedly organic feel—[Anne] Koszalka does an impressive job of conveying a wide scope of emotions (fear, anger, despair, joy) through her art. But the real power here is the narrative, which pulls no punches and is based on a true story. . . .

Exploring a serious issue with compassion and humor, this story should appeal to both animal lovers and Philly residents."

— KIRKUS REVIEWS

“An equally funny, yet heart-wrenching graphic novel that captures the fear, trauma, heartbreak, and love that comes with the work of trying to save at-risk dogs living in open-access shelters. The beguiling words and illustrations also capture the City of Brotherly Love perfectly. It's impossible to read Russell's book without falling in love with Midnight and pitbulls like him everywhere. In a word, Midnight 'Don't Judge Me' Ruiz is jawn.” 

—Ellen Lebrecque, New York Times Bestselling Author

"I loved it so much. I was laughing one minute and crying the next. Midnight 'Don’t Judge Me' Ruiz" is such a unique and creative way of storytelling for such a serious subject as the challenges and realities facing homeless pets and those who care for them in animal shelters. Author, Susan Russell, and artist, Anne Koszalka, have teamed up with help from their talented friends to bring Midnight’s Philly-flavored story to the pages of this beautifully crafted book. We have to keep telling the stories and making the voices of the voiceless heard if something is going to change. Their lives matter and their special someone is out there waiting to hear their stories. Together we can make the changes necessary to save their lives.
 
—Captain Tawny Hammond, Director of No-Kill Advancement at Best Friends Animal Society

"A heartwarming story about a dog's journey to find love
Midnight 'Don't Judge Me' Ruiz is such a touching story told from the perspective of Midnight, a pit bull who's trying to understand why he keeps getting overlooked at the shelter. The way it captures his confusion and frustration as other dogs get adopted so easily while he waits, simply because he's a pit bull, really pulls at your heartstrings. The ups and downs of his journey—getting adopted and then returned because he's too excited over a new toy—feel so real and are highly emotional. By the end, when he finally finds the right home, I had tears in my eyes. This book does an amazing job showing how much every dog just wants love and a happy life, no matter what breed they are. It's a beautiful reminder to give every dog a fair chance.
 
—Anne E. Beall, PhD, Award-Winning Author of Community Cats, Heartfelt Connections, and Heroic, Helpful & Caring Cats

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SKU: 70550320442

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4.5 ★★★★★
Based on 25 reviews
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Nile E Coyle
Cuba, US
★★★★★ 4
Decent toy! Dog ripped off legs after a couple days.
As the title says the toy was pretty durable and it’s made of a good rubber which makes it durable. My dog is a medium sized pomsky and she had a hard time gripping the shell part. I stuffed the middle part with treats which by the way DO NOT do that. My dog got really frustrated bc the treats weren’t coming out and idk what happened bc she ended up gagging and coughing. No throw up tho so good enough for me. While my review seems pretty daunting it’s really not a bad toy if you make sure to keep an eye on the rope appendages.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2023
P
Verified Purchase
Phil
Bozeman, US
★★★★★ 5
New pup loves it
Our pup is a chewer but she doesn’t like normally toys or bones unless someone else is also playing with them with her. I searched for interactive toys and loved the little turtle so I decided to try it for her! We both work from home and play with her 80% of the day but that other 20% she needed a toy! My pup LOVES this toy (also loves the box that came with it haha). She plays with it by herself for a super long time and it keeps her entertained. She loves chewing it and also loves trying to get the treats. If you have a dog that’s picky about toys, this is a good one!
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Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2024
S
Verified Purchase
Susan M.
Omaha, US
★★★★★ 3
Not indestructible
Color: Frog (Green)
Cute toy but easily chewed through fabric.
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Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2025
R
Verified Purchase
Readers Frenzy
Fort Morgan, US
★★★★★ 5
Husky chew proof....so far
My husky has a habit of gutting and destroying any squeaky chew toy I have gotten for her. This one so far has lasted a over a month now I must say it does make her work for a treat when hidden in the center of it. So far all the stitching and parts are attached and like new. The plastic center where you hid the treats is intact, the firmness of it does make it difficult to get the treats you put in hard to remove-so choose wisely and not put in large pieces as there is one of the first pieces still inside the center as even I can't get it out. So my girl she enjoys carrying it around and playing with it so this chew toy is a win for this husky owner
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Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2023
X
Verified Purchase
Xtina
Fort Morgan, US
★★★★★ 1
DANGER
DO NOT BUY!!! DANGER! We have had the turtle ones before and then got these. Be we bought two. there is a plug peice in the end that popped out. My dog ate it the first time and had to have emergency surgery because it was stuck in his intestines. We had it removed which cost THOUSANDS of dollars. Also was on vacation when it happened and had to come early when the sitter informed us he was ill. We felt guilty for month! had he got something in our house or yard was it our faults. We saved what they removed which looked like a cork but we dont drink wine. we have a frenchie that doesnt enjoys long walks on the beach if you know what i mean so would not have had access to eat something other places he doesnt relaly go anywhere. This was his favorite toy for a long time so when it got dirty outside, we threw away the first one and took out the second one to replace it . One day i was sitting playing fetch with him when i saw the plug peice come out. I caught it and took it out of his mouth. I IMMEDIATELY RECOGNIZED IT. I ran to grab the zip lock bag the vet gave us with the cork looking item covered in gunk and slime from inside his intestines, ran to the sink to rinse it off and what do you know. mystery was solved. This toy could have killed my dog !
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Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2026

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