Years ago, I read a short story in an anthology that I thought was
fantastic. Shortly after, the book was lent to a neighbor, and
dissapeared, and I'm left with no memory as to its title or author.
I'd love to be able to track down the information, and buy this book
again. The story itself was about miniaure intelligent dinosaurs that
were created as a toy for children. Kids being as kids are, when they
grew up, they grew out of their "friends". Occasionally, they were
even abusive towards them. A gentleman has set up a "home" that takes
in these creatures, and takes care of them. Often, an adult will
visit, wanting to apologise to or reconnect with their old childhood
friend. These creatures were taught to sing "Jar Woo" (maybe yar-woo,
or something close) by the manufacturer, and this became somewhat of a
mantra for the downtrodden that established kinship. I would like to
say that the title involves "Thunder" as they instinctually had an
aversion or fear of thunder, and would cluster together and sing in
order to ward off any fears that they would have.  I'd love to get
some help in finding this story.

I am certain that you are remembering one of three related stories by
Richard Chwedyk. Chwedyk has written a charming story series about
miniature, intelligent dinosaurs. The stories (so far) are "The
Measure of All Things," "Bronte's Egg," and "In Tibor's Cardboard
Castle."

I've found "The Measure of All Things" online. Here is an excerpt:

"And yet, when children tired of their saurs and stopped taking care
of them, their parents drove them out to the woods or to parks and
dumped them. It was worse than dumping cats or dogs: they at least had
some vague instincts to work with. The saurs pretty much had to start
from scratch, which is why so many of them starved, froze, were run
over by vehicles or eaten by predators.

I wondered if any of the saurs' designers ever imagined their
creations would end up in a house like this. They had guaranteed the
investors, the executives and the buying public that the saurs were
limited to a relatively few responses and reactions. They were
supposed to be organic computers, and very simple ones at that. They
could remember names and recognize faces, engage in simple
conversations. They would sing the Dinosaur Song (a hideous thing that
started 'Yar-wooo, yar-wooo, yar-wooo/ The dinosaurs love you...'),
and if you told one you were sad he would know to respond with a joke.
Yes, the designers said, they were sophisticated creations, almost
miraculous (a high point in what they had mastered by tweaking a few
genes), but they were not to be confused with living things. They
could respond to stimuli; they could retain data, but that didn't make
something a 'living' thing, they said...

Later that evening the storm clouds moved in. Even the most
intelligent and reasonable of the saurs get unsettled by the lightning
and thunder. Someone suggested jokingly that it was an ancient memory
of the great comet, but if so then we all have a trace of that ancient
memory."

Twilight Tales: The Measure of All Things 
http://www.twilighttales.com/measure.php

I hope this helps. If anything is unclear or incomplete, please
request clarification; I'll be glad to offer further assistance before
you rate my answer.

Best regards,
pinkfreud

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Clarification of Answer by pinkfreud-ga on 05 Feb 2005 15:00 PST

In case you're interested in reading "Bronte's Egg," the second story
in the series, you'll find it in this collection:

Amazon: Nebula Awards Showcase 2004 
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0451459571

"In Tibor's Cardboard Castle," the third "saur" story, is in the
October/November 2004 issue of "Fantasy & Science Fiction." Digital
copies of the magazine may be purchased.

Fantasy & Science Fiction
http://www.sfsite.com/fsf/toc0410.htm

Fantastic and quick work. This exactly answered my question in a
remarkably short time. I'm very pleased.

Thank you very much for the five stars and the nice tip!

~pinkfreud