Answer:
Stealthy as a shadow in the dead of night, cunning but affectionate if given a bite. Never owned but often loved. At my sport considered cruel, but that's because you never know me at all.
My children are near and far. No matter that I know where they are. The gift I give them make their day. But if I were gone they would wander away.
My first is a body of water. My second is me. My third came before. My fourth before all three. My fifth sounds like my first. My sixth is in a lake. Put all six together to make an animal that will keep you awake.
What has a spot and is very bright, is sometimes, red, white, blue, yellow or green and is often blinding.
I'm tall in the morning and short in the noon. I disappear at night but I will be back soon.
The virgin gave birth to a child and threw away the blanket.