SKU: 70550320442

Midnight "Don't Judge Me" Ruiz

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Description

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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4.8 ★★★★★
Based on 15 reviews
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Product Reviews
C
CMC20
Los Angeles, US
★★★★★ 4
Good DIY Pipe Legs but Powder Coat Quality Lacks
Size: side table leg, Size: side table leg
These industrial style pipe legs make building a DIY end table easy and the kit saves a trip to the hardware store. The fittings go together normally and assembly is simple. Comes individually wrapped. My main issue is the powder coating looks and feels cheap and rubs off easily. The pipes already had marks from touching each other from unboxing. If you do not mind some wear on the finish over time this is a decent purchase. The metal at the hardware store will be thicker and more durable but will cost more. I’d recommend based on ease of having a kit and it being delivered saving me a trip.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2025
M
Mark Weinberg
Massapequa, US
★★★★★ 5
Stable, attractive, and easy to turn into a table with your choice of top
Size: side table leg
The X-shape of the table legs - constructed with solid metal flanges, T-joints, X-joints and 1-inch diameter pipes - provides a strong and sturdy base for a wood top. The legs have adjustable feet pads to prevent scratches and ensure stability. Assembly of the legs is relatively simple (the instructions are clear) but you will need your own tools to attach a top. The industrial design is especially well suited to rec room or finished basement use. I am adding a 28" diameter raw edge slab of wood from a recently felled tree as the top and it is very attractive. (Photo unavailable because after I made certain it would work I sent the slab out for drying and finishing.) If you want a custom table and have a particular piece of wood you want to use, these legs are an excellent choice.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2026
G
Grammar Guru
Phoenix, US
★★★★★ 5
Very nice kit: Beware it is NOT heavy duty plumbing pipe though!
Size: side table leg
I want to give this kit a high rating, but I need to address the "truth in advertising" bit since there may be an important disconnect between what you think you are getting and what actually comes in the box. Black plumbing used for shelving or table legs is part of an important niche in interior design. I like the industrial loft look myself and have a variety of glass, steel, and masonry elements in my home. This kit fits that look and provides plenty of "strength" for most domestic uses, like shelves or coffee tables. But they are NOT "industrial pipe" or "maximum durability pipe." Note the phrase "cast iron finish feet," which together with the other claims might lead you to think these are cast plumbing fittings. They are NOT! The feet and flanges feel like electrical conduit fittings, and the pipe sections are likely aluminum. They might be electrical or they might be multi-use, lightweight pipe. While all this might lead you to think that you're getting a truly retro, heavy-duty pipe kit made of black plumbing pipe, you are not. But, does it matter? Depends. I find the lighter pipe's smooth finish a nice "tone-down" from the rough plumbing look. All together, this kit provides plenty of strength for most furniture and the rustic pipe look, but with a nicer, lighter finish. To me that is a plus--this is a very nice kit and costs less that if you'd pieced it together from real plumbing parts (I priced it out to compare), and looks retro but cleaner. I knew what to expect because while I got this kit free on Vine, I had purchased a nearly identical kit from another seller last year. So, I'm giving it 5 stars for what it actually is and for the price, JUST BE AWARE THE NARRATIVE IS MISLEADING. Which is unfortunate because just like some people might want the heavier pipe, I'm betting more would be attracted to the look with a cleaner, lighter feel.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2025
R
Verified Purchase
R
Alexandria, US
★★★★★ 5
Strong legs, somewhat industrial but trendy also
Size: side table leg
Good legs, some what utilitarian or industrial, they are strong as they are made out of pipe, and assembly is fairly easy once you get the idea of how it goes together. They are roughly 1.5 feet across maybe a bit less adjustable height on each leg, if you have wood floors you may want to put a pad under each leg as they are full metal pipes. Pretty interesting idea and does not cost much.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2026
N
Verified Purchase
Nc
Boise, US
★★★★★ 4
Pretty good, take your time and install it well
Size: side table leg
Materials are pretty solid, but once assembled it’s not as sturdy as you would think it should be since the material itself was solid, i say give them a chance, everything out there that’s similar is way over priced
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Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2026

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