Pamela Anderson started "being there" for her children more after her dog died.
The 47-year-old actress – who has sons, Brandon, 18, and 17-year-old Dylan with ex-husband Tommy Lee – was left devastated when her pet pooch Jo passed away in September, but the loss of her canine is said to have helped her make changes in her life for the better.
A family friend said: "Jo had health problems and when Pam watched him pass away it made her realise how short and fragile life is.
"After losing him, she began to change things in her own life because she wants to be there for her children.
"Pamela doesn’t ever want them to feel the way that she felt when she lost Jo."
The former ‘Baywatch’ babe – who performed a U-turn on her decision to divorce husband Rick Salomon in August – was said be particularly distraught about losing her four-legged friend because she considered the pet to be part of the family.
A close friend of the star – who is a keen supporter of non-profit organisation PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) – added to RadarOnline: "It was not Rick who straightened Pamela out this time around.
"It was the death of her dog Jo, who she adopted in 2007 shortly after the death of Star, her golden retriever that she had for nearly 17 years.
"Pamela considered Jo to be a part of her family."
In September, the blonde star took to her Facebook page to confirm her dog had passed away, but she didn’t give any specific details about the pooch’s passing.
She wrote: "Our sweet Jo passed away today… He still feels close… even closer somehow.. (sic)"
Pamela Anderson made life changes after dog death
