Foot placement; photo taken Ontario, Canada pre-1925

[Treetotal]

The chair looks oddly positioned as if on uneven ground and it would appear that she has put her left leg further forward to steady herself and the daughter is helping to steady the chair...to balance the photo, the other daughter has adopted a similar stance.
Given what I have read about early photography, I believe that a good photographer would have made attempts to disguise the fact that she was missing her right foot.
The humour really made me smile 
Carol

[Flattybasher9]

Is that her foot under the other chair 

Malky

[Jool]

Is that her foot under the other chair 

Malky

Wow Malky, I do believe you have found it! 

[Lisa in California]

Thank you all for your interest, your great detective work and the laughter that it has brought.  After reading all of your comments, it appears that she may not have lost a foot after all.  It appears that she had four feet (as well as her own two feet she also had a couple under the other chair and near the photographer).

I phoned my mum last night.  She is quite elderly and while she has a terrific memory, she cannot recall anyone on my father's side having lost a foot.  I know someone did as my father mentioned it and my mum used to be concerned about diabetes being passed down to my brother and me.

I am leaving momentarily, but as soon as I return I will try shining a light on the photo to see if I can see any clues.  I wish I had the original photograph; I don't even know where it is.

Thank you all again.  You've all brightened my day.  Lisa

[Lisa in California]

Giggsy wins the prize for the best guess about Dora's missing foot and why Dora appears sad.  Good news - I found Dora's ankle, foot and shoe in a later photograph.

Several years ago, my aunt sent me copies of old family photographs.  I ran across them tonight when I was looking for an unrelated photograph.  I knew I had photographs of Dora's adult children; I didn't realize some of the photographs included Dora as well!

While Dora did a good job of hiding her feet in several of the photographs (standing in a field of tallish grass, photo taken of the group from the ankles up, etc.) I did find a photograph that clearly shows that she had two ankles and two feet and hence, two shoes.  I'm attaching a poor quality picture (it is too dark in the house to properly light the photo).

Note:  I am assuming (for various reasons) the photo below was taken after the photo I first posted.  Thank you all again for your time, contributions and humour. I really appreciate everyone's input.

PS  I am thrilled I noticed Dora in the photos as in a couple of the photos she is smiling -- she looks like she was a sweet lady.

Lisa

[McGroger]

Hate to spoil a good story, Lisa, but when you zoom in you can clearly see that the mark about knee height is not damage to the photo but a tear in her skirt made by a rough edge on the bolt used to attach her artificial leg.
Peter

[Gadget]

She's wearing a mini-skirt 

(What a relief) 

[Lisa in California]

Thank you Peter for your insight.  We were able to shine a light on the photograph, used my son's i-pad(?) and took another picture.  The individuals in my "original" photo do not have what appears to be clown noses, those marks turned up in this picture.    I included the rest of the individuals to show that it was a breezy day.  I am guessing that the photograph may have been taken c1924.

Looking at the latest image, does it still appear that Dora had an artificial leg?  I don't mind if she did or didn't, it would just be nice to figure this out.

Again, thank you Peter for your thoughts.  Lisa

[Wiggy]

My vote is for having both her own legs and feet.

  I have thought so from the beginning . . . Just for the record!    .  (I often sit with one foot tucked in behind the other.)
I am prepared to be wrong, but just saying!!

Got lovely clean shoes too!   

Peter, had the man on her left also got a tear in his trousers?