Can animate guardian not be bound by character?

I realize this is a really niche gem and all but there is this big problem that I've noticed with this gem. I'm not talking about the viability of the gem as it is, but instead for people who try and min max a particular build with gems.

Right now Path of Exile is an evolving game - that means a lot of frequent changes. When they overhaul the passive skill tree, everyone whose passive skill is affected gets a reset. At the moment, the bandit respec isn't free but it is still an option possible for those willing to invest in it. If a different class becomes optimal for a build, players can reroll as a new class as they still have all the mostly relevant gear for the build.

This however, is not possible with Animate Guardian builds. My latest iteration for the build was with a witch, but with the upcoming changes to the passive skill tree, I decided the next one would be a scion. Then the thought hit me... what if I actually invested a lot more into my witch guardian. All that gear lost, unable to be reclaimed for your other character. This led me to think. What if I made a scion guardian when 2.0 hits and gave it good(read expensive/hard to obtain) gear, won't it be in exactly the same predicament if a future patch hits and I want to remake as another class? Because as it is right now I would have to re-obtain every piece of gear even if my guardian doesn't die.

I realize guardian equipment is permanent and can't be freely swapped out, and that you lose your previous gear if you want to give it a new piece. I understand and accept that mechanic, but it just doesn't sit right with me if you actually chose your permanent gear wisely with no plans to switch, but punished for trying to min max your skill tree.

As for suggestions, I'll leave that up to the devs, but an equipment UI would be very appreciated though. Guardians bound to gems have also been mentioned before but we don't know the limitations of the engine. I think I remember reading that the Bringer of Rain was a very "hacky" item, so perhaps something along the lines of a scripted item in an invisible equipment slot?
¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Perhaps an item that allows you to "consume" your guardian, and if you drop it on the ground and animate it it animates the whole nine yards? That would allow you to transfer your guardian between toons because otherwise you permanently lose the gear.

EDIT: Of course this would mean the item level of the guardian you consume with would have to require at least the same level of gem used. I wouldn't want a level 60 guardian to carry a level 30 toon to merc.