My parents live about an hour or so north of Wayne and get the same hot summers. (I'm MUCH closer to the ocean and it's cooling breezes, so there is a 'culture gap/temperature gap' when we visit in the summer.) Mom sometimes puts pans of water with ice in it in front of the fan, and sometimes hangs a cold, wet towel in front of the window so it's cooler. On the hot days, I wear a cool damp cloth on my neck although that probably wouldn't be a popular option with your furkids.

I'll be recuperating after surgery with my folks there, and must admit I'm dreading their heat!