Guardian 24,267

[Argee2]

45 across Apple once given to queen at a dogs' home (9)
????R?N?A

[Magyar]

Pomerania?

[sarumite]

Yes Pomerania (Pomeranian dog's 'home' )

Pome (apple) + rani (queen) + a

[Argee2]

Many thanks, Magyar. Too much brandy in the Christmas pudding and I wanted to finish off the last corner of the crossword. Hope you are having a good day. Best Wishes.

[Argee2]

Thanks for the explanation Sarumite. Best wishes to you too.
By the way, 22 down - The county is below standard (5) P?R?S. this must be Paris, but why county?

[sarumite]

Hi Argee .. I don't have the crossword. I can see of course Par (standard) + is (below) = Paris, but I can't see the relevance of County either.

[Argee2]

Glad it is not too obvious, I was beginning to think I was losing my touch - I think Kayakamina said that he had finished it in 25 minutes!! I have been doing it in spare minutes over 3 days!

[ventpeg]

this may help to explain - A county is a 'departement' in France)

The administrative status of Paris was changed on 31 December 1975: Paris is a territorial collectivity with both the status of municipality and department .....

http://www.fotw.us/flags/fr-75.html

[Argee2]

Merci beaucoup ventpeg.