"Human beings are capable of contemplating their mortality and what it means .... can animals do this? I think not."
Maybe they can. Animals are more likely to have to fight for their life. And more like to kill or see relatives or 'friends' killed. Sometimes they linger with the bodies. Many Humans haven't seen a dead person in real life. Maybe animals are more aware.
Human brains are huge, but that means that we have more knowledge, but not necessarily wisdom. My cat seems much less stressed than me!
