OP,
Wow. Sorry to hear. I grew up in a suburb of Chicago.
I still remember driving down and trying out my first car… used. Bought it, ran… until the battery ran down. That is when I learned what the pulley in the truck was for… but could not be reinstalled. Several huge investments in major engine repair later… well, finally gave up and my parents helped me buy a new car… $1,999.
A doberman? Not a good sign.
Hopefully, this is not a story like that.