A woman from North Carolina went out every morning for a miles-long run by herself. Her daily routine seems to have caught the attention of the nearby wildlife. Viewers of the now-viral TikTok can’t decide if she’s a real-life Snow White or if the doe that follows her on her runs is an “omen.”
In a video with over 611,000 views, TikToker and runner Bailey Jameson (@bailyjameson_) stands on the side of the road about to start her run.
“I have a friend on every run that follows me,” she says. Jameson pans the camera to show a small female deer, or doe, named “Penelope.”
While Jameson talks to the camera, Penelope stands nearby and eats grass. Then, the deer does something unexpected when Jameson starts to run.
“She will follow me for miles on my runs, which I feel is some sort of omen,” the TikToker says. As she takes off, the deer jogs a few paces behind her.
In a follow-up video, Jameson even shows Penelope following behind her while she runs in the snow.
Why Does The Doe Follow Her?
In the comments of her viral TikTok, viewers assured Jameson that the deer is a “good omen.” Some drew comparisons to Snow White, the fictional princess who surrounds herself with wildlife.
“Penelope is a girl’s girl, she’s making sure you run safely,” one suggested.
Another joked, “It means you’re a Disney Princess of course.”
“Girl that deer is someone watching over you. HOW COOL,” a third commented.
Others pointed out that some cultures believe that deer are “messengers” who approach people for specific reasons.
“Many tribes, including the Cherokee (who have a specific Deer Clan), view the deer as a messenger. A deer following you is often seen as a sign to trust your instincts,” a viewer shared.
“Spiritually deers are blessings and an affirmation of calmness. Anyways, I’m jealous of your friend,” a second said.
What’s Penelope’s Backstory?
Shortly after going viral, Jameson shares more of Penelope’s lore in another TikTok. Turns out, there’s a reason the deer may be so comfortable with humans. One of Jameson’s neighbors actually takes care of her.
“Penelope does have a family,” the TikToker reveals. “She gets fed. Somebody does take care of her.”
While Jameson loves Penelope’s companionship on runs, she also keeps some boundaries with the deer.
“I don’t let her follow me back to my house. I don’t want her to know where I live because I have three livestock guardian dogs,” she explains.
Ultimately, Jameson believes that Penelope initially started following her because she carries snacks with her on her runs.
“I think this all happened because I carry gels when I run. They were in my vest, and I think she caught a whiff,” Jameson says at the end of the clip. “She caught a smell on me and really wanted those gels.”
However, don’t let Penelope’s story bring your guard down. According to the Urban Wildlife Stewardship Society, deer may follow people if they feel threatened, too. Especially if they have fawns hiding nearby.
While they may look cute when they first approach, that doesn’t always mean that they want to join you on their walk. So if a deer follows you from a distance or takes a few steps towards you, it’s a good idea to keep walking and not get too close to the wild animal.
@baileyjameson_ like MILES #runtok
BroBible reached out to Jameson via TikTok direct message and comment. We will update the story when she replies.