Context: Our pet will need to be put down soon.  She has suffered a long time with feline AIDS.
Speaker 1: Our pet cat will need to be put down soon.
Speaker 2: Oh I am so sorry to hear that. Have you had it since it was a kitten?
Speaker 1: Yes we've had her since the begining.  She is older now and has suffered with feline AIDS for awhile.
Speaker 2: That is so sad. I had a dog die unexpectedly and it tore me up.