So sorry I haven't replied until now.  I work full-time and have a family of 6, not to mention my fur-babies (0:  Here are a few more details.

Piper is in limbo as far as amputation, although as time is going by, it seems more and more likely that her quality of life could be greatly improved by amputation.  She is only 7 months old, 4.8 lbs, and was injured when her previous owner's son threw her over a fence.  That resulted in a break and dislocation of her right elbow.  She was not given any medical treatment until I convinced them to surrender her to me, 3 days after the injury. For several reasons, my vet and the surgeons in Tampa felt that there was no surgical option to fix the leg.  We are in "limbo" while we wait to see if it will heal enough that she can use it to some extent.  She does GREAT most of the day. But evenings suck for her.  She will hold her leg up and not bear any weight after spending a day using it frequently. Sometimes she'll lay down and just chew and pull up (which freaks me out a little...think pulling UP on your fingernails *shudder*) on her claws on that foot.  Not any other foot, and I did try to trim her nails to see if it would help.  I don't see any rash or skin issue between her toes either. 

She is such a sweet girl and I really want to give her every chance to heal, but at the same time I see how much pain she is in after a full day of being silly Piper.  Ya'll, this dog will run to my husband and I and climb up to our shoulders so she can lay down and put her head on our shoulders.  She sleeps cuddled up to my neck every night.  She is like no other dog I've ever had, and I've loved quite a few in my 33 years.  I am so honored to be her person, and want to make decisions that will help her live the longest and happiest life possible.  She has a vet check-up in a week, so hopefully we'll have a little more information at that point.