A woman goes on a long-awaited vacation and leaves her beloved cat with her brother and his family. While on vacation, she calls to say hello and see how the cat is doing.
Her brother says, "She died."
She hung up in shock. Later after she had composed herself she called him back.
What a terrible way to drop that news! You could have eased into it. Like, "The cat's stuck on the roof. We got the Fire Department to get it down, but their were medical complications. We took her to the vet, but nothing could be done." Not just, "She died!"
Her brother acknowledged that he could have been more understanding and was very sorry.
Then she asked,"By the way, how's Mom?"
"Ahhhh... She's stuck on the roof."