MARK MY WORD: NOT SINGING THE 'BLUES' OVER BARNEY'S REPLACEMENT

We have a new pet in our home. He's a dog and he's blue. In fact, his name is Blue.

As dogs go, he's pretty quiet. He doesn't run away. We don't even have to feed him or take him for walks.

This dog stays in the television set. Our children adore the computer-generated dog in "Blue's Clues," a TV show that has taken kiddie land by storm.

According to TV Guide, "Blue's Clues" is the most watched show among pre-schoolers. It's even bigger than "Barney."

I never thought I'd see that purple dinosaur on the ropes like that. But there's no denying dog appeal.

Our youngest daughter, 2-year-old Bailey, just loves the critter. She used to like Barney. But these days, Blue is better.

Even Becca, our 6-year-old, watches the show. But Bailey adores it.

It's not just the dog that gets her attention. It's the whole animated world of felt-board-like characters. Even the mailbox gets a starring role on this show.

Maybe Bailey likes it because there's only one real person on the show. His name is Steve and he is always asking the audience for help.

"Will you help me?" he asks before pausing for the response. "You will? That's great!"

I'll say one thing for Steve, he has done more to popularize green rugby shirts and khakis than anybody in the history of the world.

That's an amazing accomplishment for a man who showed up for the audition wearing long hair, an earing and combat fatigues. He couldn't sing and didn't know any children.

He may still not know any children, but they all know him.

If children were allowed to vote, he'd be president or maybe Blue would be top dog. At any rate, both would be dancing in the Rose Garden.

Each show revolves around three blue paw prints, which provide clues to some mystery, like what Blue wants for his birthday.

Of course, you can't keep track of the clues unless you have a "handy, dandy notebook."

Steve has one of those spiral notebooks. Naturally, those notebooks are sold on store shelves too. Bailey has one of those notebooks so she too can draw clues in crayon.

Bailey often stands face to face with the television set, pointing to the location of the latest paw print.

We have three "Blue's Clues" tapes, which we regularly watch. At Bailey's age, you can never get tired of watching a blue, big-eared dog.

In our home, evening entertainment decisions often boil down to choosing one of the three tapes.

We've watched "Blue's Clues" so much that Joni has become an expert at the birthday candle dance.

She recently debuted her new song and dance at a birthday party for a friend's child at a local pizza place. Fortunately, Joni's act didn't seem out of place. After all, this is a place that features a robotic gorilla and plenty of games for children to play.

In our house, we sing the "Blue's" over and over again. Bailey wouldn't have it any other way.

It's safe to say, this is one dog that won't be muzzled.

~Mark Bliss is a staff writer for the Southeast Missourian.