Sherrie Dolezal is just your average 62-year-old great-grandmother living a normal life in Salem, Oregon--that is, if you forget the fact that she also shares her home with 21 other rescued reptiles.

Her interest in rescuing reptiles began three years ago and has caused her to take in abandoned bearded dragons in her community. Dolezal admitted that many people who adopt bearded dragons in their infancy are unprepared to provide the care the reptiles need as they age and grow.

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With 21 scaly charges living with her, Dolezal managed to get creative and turned her home into a reptile-friendly living space. An entire refrigerator is dedicated to holding suitable bearded dragon food, while the majority of her house is free roaming space for the dragons.

As a self-described "reptile rescuer", Dolezal found herself in yet another rescuing situation this past Tuesday: her great-grandson's bearded dragon had stopped breathing.

The bearded dragon, nicknamed "Del Sol", had been found floating with his face up in his pool. Without a moment's hesitation, Dolezal rushed to the reptile's aid. Dolezal took thirty minutes to revive Del Sol--though it had proved to be quite a lengthy process for her.

Dolezal began her rescue by gently stroking the reptile's stomach before hanging him upside down. She had hoped the action would help clear water from Del Sol's passageway, making it easier for him to breathe.

After beginning to clear the passageway, Dolezal did what many great-grandmothers would grimace over: she began to administer mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to her grandson's pet. Dolezal then began to alternate between giving Del Sol chest compressions and once again breathing into his mouth.

When a harrowing thirty minutes had finally past, Del Sol regained his consciousness and opened his eyes to look at his hero.

Local veterinarian and exotic animal specialist, Dr. Mark Burgess, had confirmed that Dolezal's actions were what helped save Del Sol.

Yet for Dolezal, it was just another day in the life.

TagsSherrie Dolezal, Del Sol, Oregon, bearded dragon, reptile rescuer