Wrapped Up in Crosswords by Nero Blanc

 Stanley’s housemate
    34.  Point
    35.  Black
    36.  “Cool!”
    37.  Favorite horse race?
    41.  41-Down source
    42.  Some dog-walkers
    43.  Royal letters
    44.  Director Lee
    45.  Salty dog’s domain
    46.  Old anesthetic
    49.  Chow
    51.  Abrade
    54.  Lemon drinks
    56.  Favorite Peck film?
    60.  Dog photo maker
    63.  ___ blue
    64.  Ghostly sound
    65.  “With bated ___ …”, Shak.
    66.  Posted
    67.  ___ dog
    68.  Jockey wear
    69.  HST-JFK link
    70.  A talking horse, et al.
    DOWN
    1.  Persona non ___
    2.  Dog track tease
    3.  Encrypt again
    4.  Mild oath, for Winston
    5.  Young love in Rome?
    6.  “with a woof-woof here” refrain
    7.  Boxer O’Grady
    8.  Yip, yip, yip, yip
    9.  Taxing grp.
    10.  Mild oath
    11.  Craze
    14.  Collar locale
    15.  Tense lead-in
    20.  Of the snout
    21.  Actor Edmund, et al.
    25.  Result of 50-Down
    26.  Some TVs
    27.  Wordsmith’s vol.
    29.  Favors one leg
    31.  Where, and how, to buy meat?
    32.  Push forth
    35.  Tiebreakers; abbr.
    37.  “… her poor dog a ___”
    38.  With 41-Down, a breakfast order
    39.  Noah’s early dilemma?
    40.  “Gotcha!”, var.
    41.  See 38-Down
    47.  Like canned dog food
    48.  Refill the gun
    50.  Noise order
    52.  Dog ___; circus highlights
    53.  Chew up
    55.  Messes
    57.  Leftovers
    58.  Cheer
    59.  Fountain or Rose
    60.  Lassie’s network
    61.  Uris hero
    62.  ___ Blanc, Wile E. Coyote’s voice
    To download a PDF of this puzzle, please visit openroadmedia.com/nero-blanc-crosswords

Twelve
    B ELLE gave Rosco a huge hug the moment he walked through the door. Happy to be home at last, Gabby jumped up and placed her paws on Belle’s thighs, received a rather distracted pat, then trotted off into the kitchen for a long drink of water.
    â€œI was so worried about you!” Belle gushed. “What if you three had walked into Don Oliver’s a few minutes earlier? You could have found yourselves on the wrong side of those guns.”
    Rosco gave her a long kiss. “Hey, that’s what we were trained for, Belle—stopping felons in the act.”
    â€œNot dressed up as Santa Claus, you weren’t. I can’t believe Al left without his pistol. What was he thinking of?”
    â€œKids?” Rosco chuckled, but the sound contained as much relief as it did humor. “You’re right. The Police Academy rules should specifically outline toy collecting procedure: Don’t conduct clandestine operations without a significant means of defending yourself; i.e., make sure your Santa suits have pockets for concealed weapons … not to mention I.D. And a clip for handcuffs might be wise, too.”
    â€œI’m not joking, Rosco.”
    â€œI know. And I’m glad you’re not. I much prefer the greeting I got, than, say ‘What’re you doing home so soon, pal?’” He kissed her again. “I do love you, Belle.”
    â€œI love you, too … but I still wish you’d be more careful.”
    â€œGathering holiday gifts for needy kids isn’t supposed to be a high-risk occupation.”
    â€œMaybe you should be carrying your gun, too. At least until those cons are back in custody.” Belle sighed and held him closer. “Everyone was so worried when they heard the news: Bartholomew, Martha—”
    â€œHow is everyone’s favorite comeback artist, anyway? I’ll bet she had some choice observations concerning the Lawson’s break-in. ‘No warm honey-blueberry syrup today, folks; we’ve been hit!’”
    â€œNo. Oddly she didn’t have many wisecracks …” Belle paused in thought. “I think Sara’s right about Martha … something seems to be bothering her—”
    â€œBeing subjected to a felony