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Enjoyed it as a good challenge. Did notice all the dog references but didn't get the significance until a clever person on here did. Keep seeing more words linked to theme. Many condolences to B for the loss of Eddie Boy. Very sad to lose a much loved pet.

Well said, Snowwhite:-)

Pondering about the y in 11a. I wonder if it stands for year, and the solution was significant for Eddie.

smudgekent, That's the consensus.

Ah, of course - thanks guys:-)

But is it the year of 31-ion, or the birth year (presumably under the sign given in NW quadrant)?

I've no idea.

It’s both geeker

Many thanks (for answer and puzzle), Brockwell!

Hi Everyone

Sorry Brockwell, both for your loss, but you are my least favourite setter because I have trouble parsing the answers. I managed about half today before resorting to looking some up on Dan Word. Often, I have the right answer, but don't know why. Basically you are too hard for me.

I fill the answers in the newspaper, so circle the ones I can't parse. There are more than half of them today. Some are explained above. Also I hate football (sorry Rocky) and had to look up the Arsenal boss, but still have no idea why the last two letters. I've never heard that word for "bowl" is that from cricket (in which I have no interest)? There were one or two that amused me. I've no idea where 22ac comes from.

I haven't spotted the Pauline answer, but I've just noticed that I haven't done 17ac, which will be my LOI. My FOI was 18ac. My COD 6D

Once again very sorry for your loss Brockwell. It is very sad when a pet dies. The house feels empty. It leaves a big gap.

Hi Roof,

22a if you take away the last letter of the answer (which comes from "recipe" (the Latin)) and add an N from "nameless" (because it's been removed) you get 'a fancy meatloaf baked in earthenware' or "casserole" - I didn't know it!

The Pauline clue is 15a.