Also I just can't express enough how much I hate my pet spawning being based on ilevel. I'd much prefer we get more gear with affinity on it, and then be able to remove it after spawning to use whatever weapon we want without dropping the HP of our pet.
Wait, the game checks this constantly? you have to keep your pet level item (be it the -caller or animator or your weapon or whatever) equipped at all times? For PUP it makes sense because the animator does more than just set your pet's level but for the others, not so much.