Here is what I suggest: Have our mini-pets pick up dropped items in the field if they are running around. They would automatically run to that item, and it would be placed in your inventory. Of course, there should be a changable options of what you would or wouldn't like to have the little guy pick up (i.e. materials, weapons, collector items, gold, etc). These items would be the ones that are dropped for YOU. However, if a player decides not to pick up an item and it becomes a free item for anyone, whomever's mini-pet reaches it first gets it.
Thats my suggestion to add functionality to the mini-pets. Discuss, hack away, or whatnot.
