We all love our pets, and we can become unreasonably attached to them. Sometimes we are simply not ready to let them go when they are killed by unforeseen circumstances.
I would like GMs to have the ability to return-to-companionship, a lost pet, reskinned with transparency, in such rare cases as they feel are community-appropriate, to avoid any possibility of mechanic-abuse.
I suggest such a creature would no longer be able to give skillgain, be bred, or be used in combat or ridden, but still able to be interacted with by the 'owner', as a tamable, leadable pet, for the perma-fixed exchange of one cared-for slot.
I see no reason why this option should not be available to anyone who is prepared to petition for it. Regardless of server or disposition of character.