Nice writeup. My hunters dinged 70 yesterday, and I've been working on my PvP blue set - just the head piece left... So far I've cleared every instance up to and including Old Hillsbrad, will be attempting Sethekk tonight...

With no healer, my strategy is a bit different to yours... Firstly, I run 5 owls, becuase the screech debuff generates agro on all mobs within range. My usual tactic on large pulls (4+) is to lay down traps before the pull, front load a Mend Pet and send my owls in. The traps are for any mob that doesnt get picked up by screech, (becuase of the agro from mend pet).

For Bosses I just take it as a given that pets will die - they are just a big meat shield after all. :P Anyway, the cost is just some mana and food, and much cheaper than paying for repairs on your toon. With Aspect of the Viper up, you'll have that mana back in no time...

I hear what you're saying about priests being very squishy - I found on my priest / lock team, the priest was constantly getting focus fired in any pvp. Maybe swap in a Pally for more survivability, even if it means giving up the group heals...

Cheers,
S.