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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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