32 Down

NYT Daily • August 29, 2025

Dog’s post-op wear

Answer:

CONE

Hint:

Not available

Explanation:

This clue plays on the familiar image of a dog wearing a protective cone after surgery—often called an "Elizabethan collar" or "e-collar." The phrase "post-op wear" hints at something a dog wears during recovery, and "cone" is the common shorthand for that awkward, cone-shaped collar. The wordplay is straightforward, relying on the everyday term pet owners use rather than a technical name. It’s a simple but clever nod to a relatable pet-care scenario.

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