Keeping Tuktuk cool in Rama 3 heat

Tuktuk is a 7 year old shih tzu with a very thick coat, which is a bad combination for April heat in Bangkok. Last summer we had two scares with her panting badly after a walk, so this year I changed the routine. Walks happen before 7 am and after 7 pm. Anything in the afternoon is too much. I used to walk her at 4 pm when the sun is low and it was a mistake, the pavement was too hot for her paws. A simple test is to put the back of your hand on the pavement for 7 seconds. If it hurts your hand, it will hurt her feet. Her coat is trimmed shorter now, not shaved to the skin. Our groomer said shaving can damage the protection her skin has against the sun. I keep a damp towel in a cooler bag in the car and wipe her belly and legs when we get back. Indoors the aircon is on 25 degrees, and she has a cooling mat that I keep in the freezer for 20 minutes at a time. She rolls on it all day. Water is in three places around the apartment, and I add a little ice to her bowl in the afternoon. If she pants hard, drools a lot or her gums look pale or very red, we take her to the vet straight away. Heat stroke is quick. I would rather be too careful. The vet in Bang Phlat said we were lucky to come in when we did. Some days she still gets tired in the heat, and that is ok. Her job is to lie on the cool tiles and look bored.