swear to god, if he kills the pets I'm going to cry like a baby. Even if it's old age

Not a DV example but the GM used to use a timer during certain circumstances in my oWoD games. Particularly during pressing situations--"OK guys, that PO'd tremer is working some blood magic. You've got about 5 seconds to do something or you'll probably die. Or wish you did."  I don't think anyone ever actually died from stuff like that but my character lost an arm for a while from dithering too long in a gun fight. 

Another, longer term version is only getting a certain number of sessions to deal with a plot point, although extra sessions can be added depending on what's done. Say, for instance, again using a oWOD example...there's a potent vampire in town, maybe 5th generation, whose up to trouble. The characters get X time to get rid of him/expose him/whatever or all hell breaks lose as  his plans come to fruition...but smart actions by the players can extend the time. Say...we a construction crew bulldoze whatever building he's hiding in during the day, or thwart a few of his initial plans. 

I've done PnP RPGs intermittently for a while, typically old World of Darkness.  It's what made me want to start writing   The same things been an issue for me there too...I can play malks and gangrels and some of the minor clans...but ask me to be a toreador or ventrue or any social clan and I'm lost.