Animals' perception of time is a vexed philosophical and neurological question. The relation of physical time (i.e., Aristotle's measure of motion) and internal time (i.e., Augustine's “So it is in you, my mind, that I measure periods of time”) is so complex, we cannot be sure animals experience time at all. Interestingly for poetry's purposes, Paul Ricoeur (in Time and Narrative) suggests that Aristotle's Poetics contains the fullest account of human time—which depends on narrative to connect the two experiences of time.
Will agree that humans can anthropomorphize any creature, human or imaginary, still we have not the ability, yet, to go into their minds, as opposed to their brains, if there is a difference, and see for ourselves, just how human or not they are. So while do not disagree with you, will keep an open mind, as to what abilities they have or not, till proven otherwise.
One sign of a great poem is how, because of its memorability, it lends itself to parody. One example among many: https://medium.com/adams-notebook/robert-burns-on-the-surprising-speed-of-the-hippopotamus-72cd8291d835
Are we sure the mouse does not live accordingly so? With less time in their life, they have less time for both remorse and dread.
Animals' perception of time is a vexed philosophical and neurological question. The relation of physical time (i.e., Aristotle's measure of motion) and internal time (i.e., Augustine's “So it is in you, my mind, that I measure periods of time”) is so complex, we cannot be sure animals experience time at all. Interestingly for poetry's purposes, Paul Ricoeur (in Time and Narrative) suggests that Aristotle's Poetics contains the fullest account of human time—which depends on narrative to connect the two experiences of time.
Will agree that humans can anthropomorphize any creature, human or imaginary, still we have not the ability, yet, to go into their minds, as opposed to their brains, if there is a difference, and see for ourselves, just how human or not they are. So while do not disagree with you, will keep an open mind, as to what abilities they have or not, till proven otherwise.
Interesting point.