Ari Schraff

In Loving Memory of Ari Scharff.  At age 16, he crossed the Rainbow Bridge on October 30, 2025.

Ari began his grand adventure in April 2009, adopted from the Indianapolis Humane Society. His journey to the Scharff home began in the most unexpected way, after a less-than-harmonious start with three chihuahuas, Ari found himself featured on a “Free to a Good Home” poster in a breakroom at RCI. “Mom” managed to avoid that poster until 4:30 p.m., but fate had other plans. By 6:00 p.m., Ari was happily on his way to Tipton, complete with all his belongings, to meet his new family. Petey Boy, the black lab, was thrilled to welcome his new little brother. Ari immediately made himself at home, specifically, on top of the sofa pillows.

At home, Ari, also known as Ari Safari, Ari-Bari, and Arilicious, was a semi-cuddly boy: content to sit close, but please, no excessive petting! His favorite toy was a thoroughly shredded tennis ball, constantly being rescued from under the furniture with kitchen tongs. Ari had a talent for soccer, though no one ever discovered where he learned it. Tug-of-war with Pete was a daily ritual, one that filled the house with laughter and barking.

Ari had a refined palate; he adored the leftover almond milk at the bottom of Mom’s cereal bowl and never said no to popcorn. Walks with Ari were... adventures. Ever the escape artist, he could wriggle out of a harness faster than Houdini himself. He even earned a “Chasing Greatness” patch for his harness, an ironic badge for the dog who sent Mom sprawling in the street more than once during his enthusiastic “greetings” with other dogs. He never did settle the vet bills for those encounters.

The Scharff family’s email address, p_jamas (for Pete, Jeffrey, Allen, Mary Ann, and eventually Ari), found its perfect fit when Ari arrived in 2012 completing their PAJAMAS family, entirely by chance.

In his later years, Ari developed a sweet crush on Blair, the dog who lived behind them. He’d stand at the fence and whine until she came to say hello, or occasionally, to ignore him completely.

Ari also loved summer car rides with the windows down and the A/C blasting, decorating the glass with his trademark “nose art.”

On October 30, 2025, Mom’s birthday, Ari crossed the Rainbow Bridge, reuniting with Dad and his beloved brother Petey Boy. His quirky spirit, gentle presence, and funny little ways will be deeply missed, especially by Mom.

Rest in peace, my sweet, kooky little old man. ❤️

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