Samuel "Sam" Ben White was born, raised and educated in Abilene, TX. He managed to escape by cleverly graduating from high school and enrolling at Dallas Christian College where he majored in something.

While playing college soccer, his childhood love of cartooning was rekindled (ain't that always the way?) and he began drawing a strip about Burt Cottage. Burt Cottage was your typical college student with all the foibles and insecurities that come from being a "Far Side" rip-off. Sam continued to draw Burt before and during his still-progressing marriage to the lovely Martha, whom he had met at "The College Formely Known as Southwest Texas State University".

While "working" as a minister, computer software tester and documenter, and grocery store clerk, Sam has continued to draw, though in 2001 the focus of the strip shifted from Burt to the animals who were friends with his dog, Phydeaux. When Tuttle the turtle entered the strip, everything shifted and Tuttle became the focus.

Sam now lives in Dumas, TX, with his wife and two sons. He continues to write novels, draw cartoons, play board games and do everything listed above except work at grocery stores.