I hadn't see him since the two of us were in line together outside the Botanic Garden, waiting to see the stinky titan arum plant. I doubted he would remember me. And anyway, celebrities need their privacy, so I left him alone and went on with my browsing.

"I confess I was a bit of a ladies' man in my day," I said with a chortle. "And I live in a house full of females -- well, three females and one sterilized dog -- so I think, yes, I have some insights into the 'fairer sex.' How can I help you?"

One card featured a Shar-Pei puppy wearing oversize sunglasses and sitting in a flower pot. The words inside read: "And they call it puppy love." The other card was of a sweaty, shirtless, well-muscled cowboy dousing himself with a garden hose. Inside it read: "I think you're hot stuff!"

I couldn't imagine anyone liking either of the cards, but the ways of the heart are mysterious indeed, and I didn't want to torpedo what was surely the young panda's first crush.

"Hmmm. Either of these might be fine," I said slowly. "But I'd have a better idea if you told me a little about the recipient. What's she like?"

"Oh," Tai Shan began, visibly swooning. "She's . . . she's wonderful . She's smart. She's firm but fair. She doesn't suffer fools lightly."

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