Threshold cats, dogs, etc cross over (8)
I believe the answer is:
doorstep
'threshold' is the definition.
(I know that threshold can be written as doorstep)
'dogs etc cross over' is the wordplay.
'dogs etc' becomes 'pets'.
'cross' becomes 'rood' (term for a crucifix).
'over' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'pets'+'rood'='petsrood'
'petsrood' written backwards gives 'DOORSTEP'.
'cats' acts as a link.
This may not be right. It may belong to another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for doorstep that I've seen before include "big piece of bread" , "Thick slice of bread (informal)" , "Torpedos (anag.)" , "Old song: ` `Oh Mother Kelly's ........' '" , "slab at threshold" .)