![\"doe](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Doe-follows-North-Carolina-woman-.webp.jpeg\")
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Via iStockphoto \/ @baileyjameson_ TikTok <\/a><\/p>\n 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\u2019t decide if she\u2019s a real-life Snow White\u00a0or if the doe that follows her on her runs is an \u201comen.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cI have a friend on every run that follows me,\u201d she says. Jameson pans the camera to show a small female deer, or doe, named \u201cPenelope.\u201d<\/p>\n While Jameson talks to the camera, Penelope stands nearby and eats grass. Then, the deer does something unexpected when Jameson starts to run.<\/p>\n \u201cShe will follow me for miles on my runs, which I feel is some sort of omen,\u201d the TikToker says. As she takes off, the deer jogs a few paces behind her.<\/p>\n In a follow-up video<\/a>, Jameson even shows Penelope following behind her while she runs in the snow.<\/p>\n Why Does The Doe Follow Her?<\/p>\n In the comments of her viral TikTok, viewers assured Jameson that the deer is a \u201cgood omen.\u201d Some drew comparisons to Snow White, the fictional princess who surrounds herself with wildlife.<\/p>\n \u201cPenelope is a girl\u2019s girl, she\u2019s making sure you run safely,\u201d one suggested.<\/p>\n Another joked, \u201cIt means you\u2019re a Disney Princess of course.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGirl that deer is someone watching over you. HOW COOL,\u201d a third commented.<\/p>\n Others pointed out that some cultures believe that deer<\/a> are \u201cmessengers\u201d who approach people for specific reasons.<\/p>\n \u201cMany 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,\u201d a viewer shared.<\/p>\n \u201cSpiritually deers are blessings and an affirmation of calmness. Anyways, I\u2019m jealous of your friend,\u201d a second said.<\/p>\n What\u2019s Penelope\u2019s Backstory?<\/p>\n Shortly after going viral, Jameson shares more of Penelope\u2019s lore in another TikTok<\/a>. Turns out, there\u2019s a reason the deer<\/a> may be so comfortable with humans. One of Jameson\u2019s neighbors actually takes care of her.<\/p>\n \u201cPenelope does have a family,\u201d the TikToker reveals. \u201cShe gets fed. Somebody does take care of her.\u201d<\/p>\n While Jameson loves Penelope\u2019s companionship on runs, she also keeps some boundaries with the deer.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t let her follow me back to my house. I don\u2019t want her to know where I live because I have three livestock guardian dogs,\u201d she explains.<\/p>\n Ultimately, Jameson believes that Penelope initially started following her because she carries snacks with her on her runs.<\/p>\n \u201cI think this all happened because I carry gels when I run. They were in my vest, and I think she caught a whiff,\u201d Jameson says at the end of the clip. \u201cShe caught a smell on me and really wanted those gels.\u201d<\/p>\n However, don\u2019t let Penelope\u2019s story bring your guard down. According to the Urban Wildlife Stewardship Society<\/a>, deer may follow people if they feel threatened, too. Especially if they have fawns hiding nearby.<\/p>\n While they may look cute when they first approach, that doesn\u2019t always mean that they want to join you on their walk. So if a deer<\/a> follows you from a distance or takes a few steps towards you, it\u2019s a good idea to keep walking and not get too close to the wild animal.<\/p>\n BroBible reached out to Jameson via TikTok direct message and comment. We will update the story when she replies.<\/p>\n \t\t\t