SKU: 70550320442

Midnight "Don't Judge Me" Ruiz

Sale price$17.09 Regular price$18.99
Save 10%

Pay in installments of $4.75 with ShopPay, AfterPay and Klarna

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

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

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

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

Delivery in the New Year

Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 70550320442

Discover Niche Categories That Outsell

Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

4.1 ★★★★★
Based on 14 reviews
Sort
Highest Rating
Newest First
Oldest First
Product Reviews
J
Verified Purchase
John Revak
Lowell, US
★★★★★ 5
Great alternative toothpaste
Flavor Name: Mint, Size: Pack of 1 (4 Ounce)
Paste seems to work very good on teeth and removing stains and tartar leaves a fresh clean smelling breath no residue I highly recommend this and the cinnamon is even better It seems to be gentle on the teeth and it seems to whiten your teeth slowly great taste phones up perfectly
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2026
S
Verified Purchase
Shayd925
Battle Creek, US
★★★★★ 5
Works well, tastes great and it’s non-toxic
Flavor Name: Mint, Size: Pack of 1 (4 Ounce)
So far I love the fresh and clean feeling I get with this toothpaste. I love that it’s non-toxic. I even pair it with a boar bristle wooden toothbrush to keep all of the micro plastics out of my system. My younger daughter who is 7 started using it and she says it’s not too minty for her but it definitely freshens your breath and whitens teeth well, keeps cavities away.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2026
A
Verified Purchase
Amazon Customer
Louisville, US
★★★★★ 5
Give it a shot!
Flavor Name: Mint, Size: Pack of 1 (4 Ounce)
Seems better. No overpowering flavor and I do believe my teeth felt cleaner. Try it.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2026
X
Verified Purchase
Xander Quality Products
Port Orchard, US
★★★★★ 4
Smooth, mild-flavored fluoride-free toothpaste that’s easy to use daily
Flavor Name: Mint, Size: Pack of 1 (4 Ounce), Flavor Name: Mint, Size: Pack of 1 (4 Ounce)
I’ve been using this toothpaste twice a day and it’s a good option if you’re looking for something fluoride-free that isn’t gritty and has a mild mint taste. The texture is smooth and spreads easily, and the flavor is clean without being too strong. I used it with a soft toothbrush, and it rinses clean without leaving any heavy or chalky feeling afterward. The 4 oz tube also lasts a reasonable amount of time with regular use. Pros: • Mild mint flavor that isn’t overpowering • Smooth, non-gritty texture • Easy to use consistently Con: • Didn’t feel noticeably different compared to other similar formulas I’ve tried Overall, this works well as a daily fluoride-free toothpaste for someone who prefers a gentle flavor and smooth texture.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2026
A
Verified Purchase
ajapierce
Natrona Heights, US
★★★★★ 5
Very good Toothpaste - I would highly recommend
Flavor Name: Mint, Size: Pack of 1 (4 Ounce)
Please note clean mint is not the only flavor on Ollie’s website you can buy Clean cinnamon and Orange. I like both flavor although the Cinnamon has a more pleasant taste. Why I like this tooth paste because they have more are Fluoride free, more fluoride comes for industrial waste product and used as rat poison known as sodium fluoride. If you ever find a bag of concentrated flouride is has a skull and bones safety warning on it. Ollie presents as a good working tooth paste that has all natural ingredients that are safe to swallow. I know people will point out Zythol as being recorded to cause stomach issues but that’s mostly from chewing gum based products that are Sugae free in nature Since using Ollie my dentist and hygienist notice a big difference is: Gum health, teeth looking cleaner and brighter and a lot less hot / cold and pain sensitivity. Another big factor I like about Ollie is a simple thing, their tubes of tooth paste are sealed before you can use them, most store brands are not. That makes me feel more comfortable that the product isn’t tainted by someone
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2026

recommand products