SKU: 70550320442

Midnight "Don't Judge Me" Ruiz

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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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4.3 ★★★★★
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superbrain
Lexington, US
★★★★★ 5
Size seems spot on shoe is beautiful
Size: 12, Color: White
These are beautiful shoes. A great cross between the ubiquitous flat as a board shoes like vans and tennis shoes. More comfortable than the super flat shoes and more formal than sneakers. Very soft leather. Not much arch support and I don't know if an insert would fit well. I am between an 11.5 and 12 in most brands (actual foot length from heel to tip of big toe is 11 and 1/8 inches). These fit perfectly in a 12 with room for comfort. An 11.5 probably would fit but snugly. I do not agree that they should be sized down at least based on my experience. If you can get these for under eighty dollars like I did they are well worth it. I'll be wearing them all summer.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2021
I
Verified Purchase
It's cool.
Boise, US
★★★★★ 4
Weightless, well made. But there are problems with size
Size: 8.5, Color: White
I bought it for a teenager, for size 81/2. This, according to the dimensions on the page, is 25.9 centimeters. They came, the size was indicated correctly, but they are large for the child. Very large. They fit me, size 10. The child is disappointed. Well made, look neat on the foot. Almost weightless But I can't give the maximum rating. I wish the seller to deal with the size grid.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2026
M
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Matthew Gonzales
Waukegan, US
★★★★★ 5
Amazing Shoe!
Size: 9 Wide, Color: Blazer Blue Hand Stain
Amazing shoe!! Comfortable to wear for long periods of time! Highly recommend!! 👍🏾
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Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2025
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William Mantilla
Whiting, US
★★★★★ 5
Calzado elegante para oficina de excelente calidad
Producto de excelente calidad. La entrega fue rápida y el empaque llegó en perfectas condiciones. Cumple completamente con lo descrito en la publicación.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2026
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MH
Boise, US
★★★★★ 3
Not A Walking Shoe
Size: 9.5, Color: Black/British Tan
In the photo online this shoe looks like it will be very comfortable. Kind of a classy Coach's Shoe. Also in the photo the heel portion of the sole looks thick and supportive. I bought them thinking they would be my go-to travel shoe. Wrong. This is not a comfortable shoe for extended wear. Short durations, OK. The main problem is that the sole is very thin and flexible in all directions. There is no, as in zero arch support, plus that thin heel means that you tend to rock back on your heels and it feels like you're pounding the pavement. I've worn once and I'm very disappointed. They look great, definitely high quality materials, but using them for the intended purpose of travel.... fah get about it. If you're looking for a good looking shoe to wear around the gym and you don't intend to use the treadmill, or elliptical, then this is the shoe you want. They would definitely be returned if I hadn't already worn them outside.
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Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2023

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