Thanks so much all for the help and encouragement.
I think me and hubby are going over to that empty for sale house tomorrow (where we *think* she may have come from) - and see if we can walk into the backyard and take a look around...as if we're looking at the house...just to see what we can see. Also, am thinking I will just go ahead and knock on their neighbor's door as we heard them grilling outside today when we found her.
Checked Pets911 and CraigsList and our newspaper for Lost dogs...nothing that fits her or even close.
GOOD point on the ears being chewed up *if* she had been a fighting dog...her ears are perfect. Weird thing is...that old chest wound (above leg/below collar) I described...bc that one was deep and big, as the scab is still so thick, weird.
Now I'm kinda wondering if she had a litter, and someone took the pups away and put her in a crate during weaning (?) and this was perhaps when she may have injured herself

....? Possible...?
I think I may have to bring her in and sleep w/ her alone in another bedroom...I don't think I'll be able to sleep thinking of her out there. She does need a bath but, ack, big deal, what's the worst that could happen?
I just checked on her and she's on her bed out there curled up in a tight little ball of brindle

! Think she might have food coma as I fed her two dinners....WELL...it IS a HOLIDAY

!