Pets. We have to talk about it.

[Amherst]

They are vanity. It's there for ppl to look at and thats it.

Which I think is for the best for the most part, but the OP hit on a few really cool ideas here.

[*]Or even notify us if someone nearby is K.O'd and need a raise.

I think this would be great for something like a Snurble pet. Fits fairly well with the mob behavior, doesn't really give a huge advantage in any content, and gives it a bit more character. Not all available minions need to have traits such as this, but it'd be cool if there were a few that did for kicks. So long as they were careful in what was implemented.